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Almost three-quarters of Americans drink coffee every day – and now a new study shows that eating it at certain times of the day may have health benefits.
A study conducted by researchers at Tulane University in New Orleans found that drinking coffee in the morning was associated with lower death rates compared to drinking it later in the day.
The study, published in the European Heart Journal on January 8, analyzed the dietary data of more than 42,000 adults over a nine-year period.
DRINKING CERTAIN TYPES OF COFFEE MAY PROVIDE SOME HEALTH BENEFITS, BUT ADDITIONS ARE IMPORTANT
Comparing adults’ coffee consumption and causes of death, researchers found that those who drank two to three cups of coffee in the morning had a “significantly” lower risk of dying from any cause and dying from cardiovascular diseases compared to those who did not drink coffee.
Interestingly, those who drank coffee all day did not have the same risk reduction.
Nearly three-quarters of Americans drink coffee every day — and now a new study suggests that drinking coffee at certain times of the day may increase your health benefits. (iStock)
“Moderate coffee consumption was associated with health benefits,” lead study author Lu Qi, MD, PhD, interim chair of Tulane University’s Department of Epidemiology, told Fox News Digital.
“Our study shows for the first time that the timing of coffee consumption matters, as well as the amount — and drinking in the morning shows a stronger association with health benefits than drinking throughout the day.”
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According to Michelle Rutenstein, a registered dietitian in New York who specializes in heart disease.
“Drinking coffee in the morning aligns with a person’s circadian rhythm, allowing (people) to be more focused during the day and helping them feel calmer at night,” she told Fox News Digital. Routhenstein was not involved in the new study.
“Drinking coffee later in the day can sometimes signal a addiction to stimulants stay focused and keep working, often at the cost of fighting hunger.”
The researchers said their study “shows for the first time that the timing of coffee consumption also matters in addition to the amount” people drink. (iStock)
This habit can lead to inadequate nutritionshe warned that it could negatively affect heart health over time.
According to Rutenstein, one of the main heart-healthy benefits of coffee is chlorogenic acid.
“Drinking coffee later in the day can sometimes indicate a dependence on stimulants to stay focused.”
“It is a polyphenol found in coffee beans that has anti-inflammatory properties and may play a positive role in supporting blood vessel health and oxidative stress,” she said.
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Dr. Bradley Server, a cardiologist and chief medical officer at Cincinnati-based VitalSolution, called the new study “interesting,” noting that “many studies have shown the health benefits of caffeine and coffee, but few have assessed when the coffee is consumed.”
The new study did not discuss the specific types of coffee consumed or any additional ingredients, such as sugar and cream, that might counteract the health benefits. (iStock)
“The authors of this study cannot prove why people drink coffee better in the morning than throughout the day, but they suggest that it may be focused on disrupting circadian rhythms, which leads to poor sleep hygiene,” he added.
“More research is needed”
Author Qi noted that the study had some limitations.
“This is an an observational studywhich cannot provide evidence of a causal relationship,” he said. “More studies are needed to confirm our findings in other populations.”
“How you prepare and consume coffee can affect its heart-healthy benefits.”
Server agreed that the study does not prove a causal relationship, noting, “The goal of this study is to develop a clinical hypothesis that can be studied further.”
The study, Rutenstein said, did not discuss the specific types of coffee consumed or any additional ingredients, such as sugar and cream, that may counteract the health benefits.
“The authors of this study can’t prove why people drink coffee better in the morning than throughout the day, but they suggest that it may be focused on disrupting circadian rhythms, leading to poor sleep hygiene.” (iStock)
“The way you prepare and consume coffee can affect it heart health benefits“, she said.
“For example, cafestol in unfiltered coffee can raise cholesterol levels, and creamers and syrups add saturated fats and sugar.”
The effects of caffeine can vary
Individual people can have genetic differences that can affect their ability to metabolize caffeine, Rutenstein noted, meaning that the effects of coffee on heart rate and blood pressure can vary from person to person.
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The server confirmed that moderate caffeine consumption can have many health benefits.
“Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase mental focus and improve cognitive focus,” said a cardiologist who was not involved in the study. “Caffeine helps improve physical endurance and can reduce perceived exertion during exercise.”
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The cardiologist agreed that coffee can affect people in different ways.
“Coffee does have negative side effects and should be avoided or limited in people with palpitations, irregular heart rhythms and high blood pressure,” he told Fox News Digital.
Medical experts agree that coffee can affect people in different ways: “Caffeine is a drug, and like all drugs, there are benefits and risks associated with its use.” (iStock)
“Caffeine is a drug, and like all drugs, there are benefits and risks associated with its use.”
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For those with questions or concerns about how much or when to drink coffee, Serwer recommends speaking with a primary care provider to discuss individual risk.
