United States: A recent investigation from China has revealed that moderate coffee consumption holds the potential to diminish the risk of developing a trio of chronic conditions—diabetes, stroke, and heart disease—collectively recognized as cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM).
According to the researchers, consistently enjoying three cups of coffee per day, equating to approximately 200-300 milligrams of caffeine, significantly reduces the likelihood of encountering CMM by over 40% in comparison to those who abstain or drink less, according to the New York Post.
“The outcomes underscore the potential long-term health benefits of advocating moderate coffee or caffeine intake as a dietary recommendation for individuals in good health, aiming to mitigate the onset of [cardiometabolic multimorbidity],” commented lead researcher Dr Chaofu Ke from Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University.
Data from 2017 reveals that around 34 million American adults had CMM.
This particular study gathered input from about 360,400 UK participants who detailed their daily caffeine intake, whether from coffee, tea, or both.
Spanning 12 years, the researchers monitored participants’ health developments, during which approximately 2,700 individuals developed CMM.
The scientific team delved into plasma samples from nearly 185,000 of the study’s subjects, analyzing 168 distinct plasma metabolites—small molecular byproducts produced through various cellular metabolic processes.
These metabolites offered a glimpse into the participants’ cholesterol breakdown, fatty acid composition, and other metabolic intricacies, as reported by the NY Post.
The study deduced that consumption of coffee and caffeine—regardless of amount—decreased the risk of CMM, with moderate consumption showing the most substantial effect. These findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism under the banner of the Endocrine Society.
Some caveats emerged, such as the study’s narrow focus on caffeine intake from coffee and tea alone, excluding soft drinks and energy beverages.
Nevertheless, the authors pinpointed a spectrum of metabolites linked to coffee, tea, and caffeine, potentially offering valuable insight into the body’s biochemical responses to these substances.
“Further research is necessary to more thoroughly trace the pathways from coffee, tea, and caffeine consumption to circulating metabolites and ultimately to the development of CMM,” the researchers elaborated.
Caffeine is known to boost insulin sensitivity, is a critical factor in the prevention of Type 2 diabetes, and counteracts harmful cholesterol levels, according to the NY Post.
High cholesterol has long been associated with a heightened risk of heart disease and strokes.
In addition, coffee and tea are rich in phenolic acids and polyphenols, compounds celebrated for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Chronic inflammation, in particular, has been linked to insulin resistance.
“From previous studies, we understand that moderate caffeine consumption doesn’t adversely affect cardiovascular health and may indeed offer protective effects against diabetes,” stated Dr. Nisha Parikh, co-director of the Center for Women’s Heart Health at the Northwell Cardiovascular Institute, during an interview with The Post.
“Considering the wealth of past research, I generally advise my patients that moderate caffeine intake doesn’t contribute to atherosclerosis (the build-up of plaque in arteries), though it may cause palpitations. It also provides modest protection against diabetes,” added Dr Parikh, who did not participate in this new study.
The FDA advises that healthy adults should limit their caffeine intake to no more than 400 milligrams per day.
Excessive caffeine has been linked to restlessness, dizziness, anxiety, headaches, and other adverse health effects. Late-day consumption can further interfere with restful sleep.