Drinking coffee at a certain time of day could reduce the risk of death, study says

Nearly three-quarters of Americans drink coffee every day, and now a new study suggests that enjoying it at a certain time of day could lead to some health benefits.

A study led by researchers at Tulane University in New Orleans found that drinking coffee in the morning was linked to lower mortality rates compared to drinking it later in the day.

Published in the European Heart Journal on January 8, the study analyzed dietary data from more than 42,000 adults over a nine-year period, according to the findings.

DRINKING CERTAIN TYPES OF COFFEE MAY PROVIDE SOME HEALTH BENEFITS, BUT SUPPLEMENTS MATTER

Comparing adults’ coffee consumption and causes of death, researchers determined that those who drank two to three cups of coffee in the morning had “significantly” lower risks of dying from any cause and of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to those who did not drink coffee.

Interestingly, that same risk reduction was not seen in those who drank coffee throughout the day.

“Moderate coffee consumption has been linked to health benefits,” the study’s lead author, Lu Qi, MD, PhD, interim chair of the Department of Epidemiology at Tulane University, told Fox News Digital.

“Our study indicates for the first time that the timing of coffee drinking also matters, beyond the quantity, and drinking in the morning shows a stronger relationship with health benefits than drinking throughout the day.”

WHY MILK IS THE KEY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TWO POPULAR ESPRESSO DRINKS

Part of the benefit of drinking coffee in the morning has to do with the circadian rhythm, which is the body’s internal clock that regulates wake and sleep schedules, according to Michelle Routhenstein, a New York-based registered dietitian who specializes in heart disease.

“Drinking coffee in the morning aligns with the circadian rhythm, allowing (people) to be more focused during the day and rest at night,” he told Fox News Digital. Routhenstein was not involved in the new study.

“Drinking coffee later in the day can sometimes indicate a stimulant dependence stay focused and keep working, often at the expense of addressing hunger.

This habit can lead to improper nutritionwarned, which can negatively affect heart health over time.

One of the main benefits of coffee for heart health is chlorogenic acid, according to Routhenstein.

“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,” he said.

MAXIMIZE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF YOUR MORNING CUP OF COFFEE WITH THESE TIPS

Dr. Bradley Serwer, a cardiologist and chief medical officer at VitalSolution, a Cincinnati-based company, called the new study “interesting,” noting that “many studies have shown health benefits from caffeine and coffee, but few “They have evaluated when the coffee is consumed.”

“The authors of this study cannot prove why people do better drinking coffee in the morning compared to all day, but they speculate that it may focus on disruption of circadian rhythms that results in poor sleep hygiene.” , he added.

‘More studies are needed’

The study had some limitations, author Qi noted.

“This is a observational study“which cannot provide evidence of causality,” he said. “Further studies are needed to validate our findings in other populations.”

“The way coffee is prepared and consumed can affect its heart health benefits.”

Serwer agreed that the study does not prove causality, noting that “the intent of this study is to develop clinical hypotheses that can be studied further.”

The study, Routhenstein said, did not look at the specific types of coffee consumed or added ingredients, such as sugar and cream, that could offset the health benefits.

“The way you prepare and consume coffee can affect your heart health benefits“, said.

“For example, the cafestol present in unfiltered coffee can increase cholesterol, while creamers and syrups add saturated cholesterol. fats and sugars“.

The effects of caffeine may differ.

Individuals may have genetic differences that could affect their ability to metabolize caffeine, Routhenstein noted, meaning that coffee’s effects on heart rate and blood pressure may vary from person to person.

For more lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle

Serwer confirmed that there can be many health benefits to moderate caffeine consumption.

“Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase mental alertness and improve cognitive concentration,” said the cardiologist, who was not involved in the research. “Caffeine helps improve physical endurance and may reduce perceived exertion during exercise“.

CLICK HERE TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER

The cardiologist agreed that coffee can affect people differently.

“Coffee has negative side effects and should be avoided or limited in people with palpitations, abnormal heart rhythms and high blood pressure,” he told Fox News Digital.

“Caffeine is a drug and, like all drugs, there are benefits and risks associated with its use.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

For those who have questions or concerns about the amount or timing of coffee consumption, Serwer recommended speaking with a primary care provider to discuss individual risk.