A recent study conducted in China found that moderate coffee consumption can lower the risk of developing a combination of diabetes, stroke, and heart disease known as cardiometabolic multimorbidity. Researchers discovered that drinking three daily cups of coffee, or 200-300 milligrams of caffeine, can decrease the odds by more than 40% compared to non-drinkers or those who consume less coffee. This study suggests that promoting moderate amounts of coffee or caffeine intake could have significant benefits for preventing cardiometabolic multimorbidity. Cardiometabolic multimorbidity involves having two or more cardiometabolic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or stroke, and around 34 million US adults had this condition in 2017.
Approximately 360,400 UK residents participated in this study by sharing their daily consumption of caffeine, coffee, or tea, with researchers tracking them for around 12 years. Out of the participants, around 2,700 developed cardiometabolic multimorbidity during this time. Plasma samples from nearly 185,000 participants were studied, measuring 168 plasma metabolites that reflect various metabolic processes in the body. The researchers found that coffee and caffeine consumption at all levels lowered the risk of developing cardiometabolic multimorbidity, with the lowest risk associated with moderate intake of coffee or caffeine.
Although the study had some limitations, including focusing only on caffeine intake from coffee or tea and not considering sodas or energy drinks, the authors believe that their findings provide important insights into the relationship between caffeine consumption and cardiometabolic multimorbidity. Caffeine has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and harmful cholesterol levels, both of which are important factors in the development of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Coffee and tea are major sources of phenolic acids and polyphenols, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that can help reduce chronic inflammation linked to insulin resistance.
Dr. Nisha Parikh, co-director of the Center for Women’s Heart Health at the Northwell Cardiovascular Institute, emphasized that moderate caffeine intake does not cause plaque build-up in blood vessels but may have protective effects against diabetes. Current FDA recommendations advise healthy adults to limit caffeine consumption to no more than 400 milligrams per day to avoid health issues such as restlessness, dizziness, nervousness, and headaches. Consuming caffeine late in the day can also lead to sleep disturbances. Further research is needed to better understand the pathways from coffee, tea, and caffeine intake to circulating metabolites and the development of cardiometabolic multimorbidity, providing additional insights into the potential benefits of moderate coffee consumption for preventing these conditions.
