A new study suggests a significant link between when you drink coffee and its impact on health. Researchers found that consuming coffee before midday may be associated with a lower risk of death and heart disease, compared to drinking coffee throughout the day.
The large-scale study, involving over 40,000 US adults, tracked participants' coffee-drinking habits and health outcomes over nearly a decade. The study divided participants into two groups: morning coffee drinkers and all-day coffee drinkers. Critically, researchers observed a notable difference in mortality rates between the groups.
Morning coffee drinkers demonstrated a 16% lower risk of death overall and a 31% reduced risk of death from heart disease, compared to those who didn't drink coffee. This reduced risk was not observed among all-day coffee drinkers. Importantly, the study controlled for other factors influencing health outcomes, such as age, diet, and existing health conditions.
This is the first study to directly evaluate the impact of coffee consumption timing on mortality rates. The findings indicate that timing of coffee intake, rather than total coffee consumption, could play a crucial role in cardiovascular health.
"Drinking coffee in the morning may be more strongly associated with a lower risk of mortality," stated lead author Dr. Lu Qi of Tulane University. He further noted the potential influence of circadian rhythms and hormones like melatonin on cardiovascular risk factors, particularly when coffee is consumed later in the day.
While the study highlights a correlation, it does not establish causation. Further research is needed to determine the specific mechanisms behind this association and to validate these findings in other populations. The research emphasizes the importance of further investigation into coffee consumption timing and its impact on health.
