Many coffee enthusiasts savor their brew throughout the day, but emerging research suggests that timing might be as crucial as the coffee itself. A recent study published in the European Heart Journal reveals that drinking coffee in the morning could significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality. This comprehensive study analyzed data from 40,725 adults who participated in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 1999 and 2018, indicating a potential heart-health benefit linked to morning coffee consumption.
The researchers sought to understand whether the time of day when coffee is consumed impacts heart health. Lu Qi, MD, PhD, the study's senior author, stated:
“Given the effects that caffeine has on our bodies, we wanted to see if the time of day when you drink coffee has any impact on heart health.”
Participants in the study were tasked with detailing all food and drink consumed in one day, including specifics about coffee intake such as quantity and timing. The findings were striking: individuals who drank coffee in the morning were 16% less likely to die from any cause and 31% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease compared to those who abstained from coffee entirely. Remarkably, these benefits extended equally to all-day coffee drinkers, who exhibited no reduction in risk compared to non-coffee drinkers.
The study's results suggest that consuming coffee later in the day may not confer the same benefits as morning consumption. It appears that drinking coffee throughout the day is no better than not drinking it at all concerning heart health. Lu Qi emphasized this point:
“Our findings indicate that it’s not just whether you drink coffee or how much you drink, but the time of day when you drink coffee that’s important.”
One possible explanation for this phenomenon may relate to how caffeine impacts the body's circadian rhythm. Coffee consumed later in the day could potentially disturb hormone levels, such as melatonin, which regulates sleep patterns. Such disturbances may lead to sleep disruptions, a common complaint among all-day coffee drinkers.
“Many all-day [coffee] drinkers suffer from sleep disturbances,” noted Thomas F. Lüscher, MD, FRCP.
The study also highlighted that the health benefits of morning coffee consumption persisted regardless of the amount consumed. However, the association was slightly weaker for those who drank one cup or less per day. Despite these findings, it is essential to recognize that this research is observational and does not establish a causal relationship. Further studies across different populations are necessary to corroborate these results.
While the study did not provide a definitive explanation for why morning coffee might be more beneficial, it underscores an important consideration in dietary habits. Traditionally, dietary guidance does not typically advise on timing:
“We don’t typically give advice about timing in our dietary guidance,” said Qi.
Nonetheless, both Qi and Lüscher advise that those seeking to maximize coffee's health benefits should consider enjoying their cup in the morning.
“Thus, drink your coffee, but do so in the morning!” advised Thomas F. Lüscher.
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