How coffee impacts risk of premature death: Research
What you need to know about coffee (photo: Freepik)
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages, with people worldwide consuming over 2.25 billion cups daily. Scientists have been researching for decades how coffee specifically affects health and whether it might increase the risks of premature death, according to the publication by dietitian Oksana Skytalinska on Facebook.
How coffee affects health
"After water and tea, coffee stands as one of the most beloved and popular beverages globally. On average, daily consumption ranges from 2 to 6 cups. What are the health consequences? The benefits outweigh the risks. This is the conclusion of a thorough study published in the New England Journal of Medicine," says the dietitian.
Research results indicate that coffee possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-angiogenic (inhibiting tumor growth), anti-cancer, chemoprotective (protecting the body during chemotherapy), and hepatoprotective properties.
"Moderate coffee consumption, in good health and excluding certain periods in a woman's life (pregnancy and lactation), can have a positive impact, significantly reducing the risk of various chronic diseases. Its consumption is also linked to a lower risk of head and neck cancer," says Skytalinska.
How coffee impacts the risk of premature death
Scientists have identified a positive correlation between coffee consumption and mortality from all causes. Approximately 6% of lost healthy life years could be prevented if all consumers drank three cups of coffee per day. Coffee intake is also associated with a lower risk of developing chronic liver diseases.
Regular and moderate coffee consumption can reduce the risk of death and the risk of death from cardiovascular causes. People who consume coffee from light to moderate levels have a 12% lower risk of death from diseases compared to non-consumers. In cardiovascular diseases, the risk of death decreases by 17%, and in stroke cases, it decreases by 21%.
"Among other findings, it is worth emphasizing that people who consume up to three cups of coffee per day have a healthier heart in terms of size and function, with less impact of aging on the organ," adds Skytalinska.
Consuming a large amount of coffee is associated with an increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular diseases only in patients with severe hypertension.
"In reality, coffee itself does not work miracles since cardiovascular diseases are linked to other critical lifestyle factors, namely the 'Western' diet - where there is an excess of saturated fats and too much sugar," emphasizes the dietitian.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
