Can’t miss a daily coffee hit? You might be doing more for your health than you think!

WBC

Great news for coffee lovers! A recent study has found a connection between drinking low-moderate amounts of coffee and living a longer life. Whilst there are definitely pros and cons to drinking coffee, it’s always good to be up to date with the latest research and able to weigh up your options!

Scientists analysed how the type and quality of coffee consumption influenced the risk of arrythmias, all-cause mortality and cardiovascular disease in adults aged 40-69. In 2020, Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) was the leading single cause of death in Australia, accounting for 16,600 deaths (AIHW 2022c). CHD occurs when there is a narrowing or blockage in the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle.

Studies found that drinking 2-3 cups daily was associated with a lowered risk of cardiovascular disease and death. Whether you drink decaf, instant or freshly ground coffee, your daily caffeine hit can potentially save your life. Caffeinated coffee was also found to significantly reduce the risk of arrythmia, also known as an irregular heartbeat.

Study author Professor Peter Kistler, Ph.D. and head of the Baker Heart and Diabetes Research Institute in Melbourne clarified that “the real-world implications are that coffee should be considered part of a healthy diet. People should NOT stop drinking coffee if they develop any form of heart disease, including heart rhythm disorders, unless they notice a specific personal association between coffee drinking and their symptoms.”

Drinking a few cups of coffee daily has also been found to lower the risk of kidney injury by up to 23%, but further research is needed to understand the correlation between coffee consumption and kidney health.

Higher coffee consumption is also found to slow cognitive decline and less cerebral Aβ-amyloid accumulation over a span of 10 years.

Understanding more about the consumption of coffee and how it affects the incidence of dementia, heart and kidney-related conditions could influence policy makers to take active steps to help reduce people’s risks of developing heart or kidney diseases.

There are instances where coffee can be detrimental to your health, especially with over-consumption – and a coffee detox can be a useful part of a nervous system reset.

However, it might come as a welcome relief to know that small to moderate amounts of coffee consumption could not only be a favourite pastime but have significant health upsides!

By Sarah Panther