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Coffee May Lower the Risk of Heart Disease

May 18, 2011 | By Tina Andrews
Coffee May Lower the Risk of Heart Disease
Photo Credit cup of coffee in coffee beans image by Maria Brzostowska from Fotolia.com

In the not too distant past, coffee consumption was considered a potential risk factor for heart disease. Additional investigation, however, has revealed that moderate coffee consumption is not a heart disease risk factor and may be protective in some people. Factors that may affect whether coffee consumption lowers the risk of heart disease include your level of consumption and rate of caffeine metabolism.

How Much?

Data indicate that heart disease protection occurs with regular coffee intake as opposed to occasional consumption. In a November 2009 article published in the "International Journal of Cardiology," statistician Jiang-nan Wu, Ph.D., and colleagues report that people who consumed one to four cups of coffee daily had a significantly reduced the risk of heart disease compared to people who drank less than a cup per day. Dr. J. Margot de Koning Gans and colleagues report similar findings in an August 2010 article published in "Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology." In their study, consumption of three to four cups of coffee daily conferred the greatest magnitude of decreased risk of heart disease among more than 37,500 study participants.

Genetic Factors

Genetic factors determine your body's rate of caffeine metabolism, which may influence how coffee consumption affects your heart disease risk. The enzyme CYP1A2 is responsible for caffeine metabolism; two forms of this enzyme occur naturally in the population. The form of the enzyme you have inherited determines whether you metabolize caffeine rapidly or slowly. In a March 2006 article published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association," Marilyn Cornelis, B.Sc., and colleagues report that coffee consumption may increase the risk for a heart attack among slow caffeine metabolizers but not rapid caffeine metabolizers. Researchers are exploring how the rate of caffeine metabolism may affect the development of heart disease.

Possible Mechanism

Coronary atherosclerosis, also known as coronary artery disease, is the leading cause of heart disease among Americans. With this condition, cholesterol and calcium from your bloodstream form deposits in the arteries that supply your heart tissue with blood. These deposits obstruct blood flow, which can damage your heart and potentially lead to a heart attack.

Inflammation of the arteries contributes to the development of coronary artery disease. Coffee contains a high concentration of antioxidant chemicals called polyphenols. These antioxidants neutralize inflammatory chemicals in your system, which may protect against the development of coronary artery disease. Biomedical researchers continue to investigate the role of polyphenols and other potential mechanisms by which coffee may affect your risk of heart disease.

Limitations and Caveats

Studies examining the effect of coffee on cardiovascular disease have an inherent limitation in that different people brew coffee of varying strengths. Additionally, how much coffee counts as a "cup" may be inconsistent, especially when study participants self-report their consumption. These factors make it difficult to determine exactly how much coffee may confer a protective effect against heart disease. Additionally, it remains unclear whether high levels of consumption may negate the potential benefits associated with moderate coffee intake. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about the potential benefits and risks of drinking coffee.

References

Article reviewed by joyce sexton Last updated on: May 18, 2011

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