Drinking coffee at this time of day could extend your life: study

Nearly three-quarters of Americans drink coffee every day — and now a new study suggests that enjoying it at a certain time of day may have some health benefits.

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

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

Comparing adults’ coffee consumption and causes of death, researchers determined that those who drank two to three cups of coffee in the morning had a “significantly” lower risk of dying from all causes and dying from cardiovascular disease compared with those who drank. don’t drink coffee.

Interestingly, the same decreased risk was not seen for those who drank coffee throughout the day.

“Moderate coffee drinking has been associated with health benefits,” lead study author Lu Qi, MD, PhD, interim chair of the Department of Epidemiology at Tulane University, told Fox News Digital.

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

Part of the benefit of drinking coffee in the morning involves the circadian rhythm, which is the body’s internal clock that regulates the wake/sleep schedule, according to Michelle Routhenstein, a registered dietitian in New York who specializes in heart disease.

“Drinking coffee in the morning matches the circulatory rhythm, allowing it [people] to be more focused during the day and allow for peace at night,” she told Fox News Digital. Routhenstein was not involved in the new study.

“Drinking coffee later in the day can sometimes signal a reliance on stimulants to stay focused and keep working, often at the expense of addressing hunger.”

This habit can lead to insufficient nutrition, she warned, which can negatively affect heart health over time.

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

“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,” she said.

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 of caffeine and coffee, but few have estimated when coffee is consumed.”

“The authors of this study can’t prove why people drink coffee better in the morning versus throughout the day, but they speculate that it may focus on the disruption of circadian rhythms that results in poor sleep hygiene,” he added.

‘More studies are needed’

There were some limitations to the study, said author Qi.

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

Serwer agreed that the study does not prove causation, noting, “The purpose of this study is to develop a clinical hypothesis that can be studied further.”

The study, Routhenstein said, did not discuss the specific types of coffee consumed or any added ingredients, such as sugar and creamer, which may counteract the health benefits.

“How you prepare and consume coffee can affect its heart health benefits,” she said.

“For example, cafestol in unfiltered coffee can raise cholesterol, while creamers and syrups add saturated fats and sugars.”

The effects of caffeine can vary

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

The server confirmed that there can be many health benefits with moderate caffeine consumption.

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

The cardiologist agreed that coffee can affect people differently.

“Coffee has negative side effects and should be avoided or limited in those 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 consumption.”

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.