Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages throughout the world. Given this widespread use, researchers have frequently examined the effect of coffee on cardiovascular health, and often found conflicting results. Coffee contains a complex mixture of several biologically active chemicals, some of which are likely harmful to healthful to heart health and while others may be beneficial. Current evidence suggests that overall, coffee is actually slightly beneficial for cardiovascular health.
Heart Disease
Over the years, studies have found conflicting results concerning the effect of coffee on heart disease. At the time of publication, the consensus has emerged that moderate coffee consumption may slightly reduce the risk of heart disease. In 2010, a large study of over 37,000 people followed for 13 years found that drinking two to four cups of coffee a day is associated with a 20 percent decreased risk of heart disease, compared to people who drink less than two to four cups of coffee, as reported in the August 2010 issue of "Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology."
Components of Coffee
Although the overall effect of coffee is linked to decreased heart disease, some components of coffee, especially caffeine, may increase the risk of heart disease, explains a study published in the November 2007 issue of "Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care." Researchers suspect that other components of coffee, including antioxidants, may counteract the effect of caffeine and result in the protective effect.
Complications
However, the exact relationship between coffee and heart disease requires additional research before it is completely understood. The large study published in "Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology" only found an association between moderate coffee consumption and decreased heart disease. But it did not directly prove that coffee causes the decrease. In that study, people who drank moderate amounts of coffee also tended to live a healthier lifestyle than those who did not drink moderate amounts of coffee, including more exercise and lower rates of obesity, HealthFinder.gov. explains.
Other Possible Benefits of Coffee
In addition to lowering the risk of heart disease, drinking moderate amounts of coffee has been linked to other health benefits, including a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes, gallstones and Parkinson's disease. Moderate coffee consumption may also slow the progression of liver cancer and liver cirrhosis, reports the Harvard School of Public Health.
References
- "Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology"; Tea and Coffee Consumption and Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality; J. Margot de Koning Gans, et al.; August 2010
- "Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care"; Coffee, Caffeine, and Coronary Heart Disease; M.C. Cornelis, et al.; November 2007
- HealthFinder.gov: Moderate Coffee, Tea Drinking Lowers Heart Disease Risk; Ed Edelson; June 2011
- Harvard School of Public Health: Coffee: The Good News
