Researchers have discovered another potential benefit of consuming caffeine from food or drinks that could contribute to a list of health advantages.
While high doses of caffeine can potentially harm the heart, it is encouraging to know that moderate amounts could actually help healthy individuals avoid developing heart conditions.
According to the research, between 2017 and 2018, the prevalence of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in the United States was 14.4 percent.
The most common CM patterns identified were hypertension and diabetes, hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease, and hypertension and coronary heart disease.
Evidence
The evidence presented focused on the risk of disease and the risk of death from CM.
The JCEM study, a prospective investigation, indicated that coffee has a positive impact on cardiometabolic health.
Previous observational studies have shown a negative correlation between tea, coffee, and caffeine consumption and the risk of a single cardiometabolic disease. In simpler terms, higher coffee intake is associated with a reduced risk of developing a single cardiometabolic disease. However, previous studies did not examine the impact of consumption on having two or more such conditions or measure related biological factors.
To address this research gap, the JCEM study analyzed data from the UK Biobank, involving 172,315 caffeine consumers and 188,091 coffee and tea drinkers. The UK Biobank is an in-depth dietary study of individuals aged 37 to 73 years who were free of cardiometabolic disease at the study’s outset.
Compared to non-consumers or those consuming less than 100 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per day, the intake of moderate amounts of coffee (three drinks per day) or caffeine (200–300 mg per day) reduced the risk of new-onset CM by 48.1 or 40.7 percent, respectively. Additionally, moderate coffee or caffeine intake was inversely associated with almost every stage of CM, suggesting that such intake may help prevent the development of a single cardiometabolic disease and offer protection against progressing to CM.
Sources of Caffeine
Common beverages and their caffeine levels:
- Coffee, regular brewed, non-specialty: 113 to 247 mg
- Black tea: 71 mg
- Green tea: 37 mg
- Dark chocolate bar (1 ounce): 26 mg
- Carbonated soft drinks: 23 to 83 mg
- Energy drinks: 41 to 246 mg
Although chocolate products often contain high amounts of sugar and fat, limiting their consumption to a moderate amount is advisable. While sodas contain caffeine, health experts do not recommend them due to their sugar and unhealthy ingredient content.
Furthermore, the JCEM study participants obtained their caffeine from dietary sources rather than caffeine supplements, as mentioned in the press release. The benefits of moderate caffeine intake do not extend to larger amounts of caffeine from supplements.
Given the information above, individuals looking to add caffeine to their diet should stick to coffee, tea, and small amounts of chocolate.
Additional Precautions and Risks
While the JCEM study suggested that moderate caffeine intake is beneficial for most healthy individuals, high intake was not recommended due to the serious heart problems it can cause, such as heart rhythm disorders, as noted by the NIH.
- Heart palpitations
- Increased heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Headache
- Nausea
- Jitters
It is important to note that the participants in the JCEM study were free of cardiometabolic disease at the beginning. Should individuals with heart disease start consuming 200–300 mg of caffeine?
The Epoch Times consulted cardiologist Dr. Leonard Pianko, who advised individuals with heart disease to monitor how their caffeine intake affects them.
“Caffeine is a stimulant and logically should increase blood pressure and heart rate, which it does in some people,” he said in an email. “However, in this large study, those who consumed a moderate amount of coffee had the lowest risk for new-onset CM.”
Pianko emphasized the importance of preliminary studies in uncovering counterintuitive findings. However, he cautioned that one study is not sufficient to draw long-term medical conclusions.
Therefore, he recommended moderation until further evidence is available.
“Listen to your body and, with the guidance of your physician, determine your caffeine sensitivity,” he advised individuals with heart disease. “If you experience an increase in blood pressure or heart rate, reduce your caffeine intake. If your body can tolerate up to three cups of coffee, continue to enjoy your cup of Joe.”
