Many coffee enthusiasts and medical professionals have long wondered whether coffee consumption can impact heart health. Recent research published on Wednesday reveals that drinking caffeinated coffee did not significantly influence one type of heart irregularity that may feel like a missed heartbeat.
However, the study found a minor increase in another form of irregular heartbeat in individuals who consumed more than one cup of coffee daily. It also indicated that people walk more and sleep less when drinking coffee.
According to the National Coffee Association, coffee is among the most widely consumed beverages globally, with two-thirds of Americans drinking it daily, surpassing bottled water, tea, or tap water. Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant considered safe for healthy adults, at approximately 400 milligrams per day or around four to five home-brewed cups.
Various health benefits and reduced risk of death have been associated with coffee, as observed in large-scale studies. Although research indicates that moderate coffee consumption does not increase the risk of heart rhythm issues, some professional medical societies still advise against caffeine intake.
Latest research details:
THE STUDY
A hundred healthy volunteers, mainly under 40 years old, were equipped with devices to continuously monitor their heart function, daily steps, sleep patterns, and blood sugar. Over two weeks, the participants received daily text messages instructing them to consume or avoid caffeinated coffee on specific days. The results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Dr. Gregory Marcus, a cardiologist and study co-author from the University of California, San Francisco, emphasized the rarity of this type of study, which directly measures the biological effects of caffeinated coffee consumption on the same individuals, providing numerous data points.
THE RESULTS
The researchers found no significant increase in daily occurrences of extra heartbeats, known as premature atrial contractions, due to caffeinated coffee consumption. These additional beats originating in the heart’s upper chambers are generally harmless but have been linked to atrial fibrillation, a potentially dangerous heart condition.
The study also discovered a slight indication of another irregular heartbeat called premature ventricular contractions, originating in the heart’s lower chambers. These beats are usually not severe but have been associated with an elevated risk of heart failure. The researchers observed more early moments in participants who consumed two or more cups of coffee daily.
On coffee-drinking days, the volunteers walked about 1,000 more steps and slept approximately 36 minutes less. Blood sugar levels showed almost no difference.
An interesting finding was that individuals with genetic variations enabling faster caffeine metabolism experienced a smaller sleep deficit, while those with variations causing slower caffeine metabolism lost more sleep.
IMPLICATIONS
Dr. Dave Kao, a cardiologist and health data expert from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, who was not involved in the study, notes that due to the small sample size and short duration, the results may not apply to the general population. Nonetheless, the study aligns with others, suggesting coffee is safe and provides a unique controlled evaluation of caffeine’s effects.
Co-author Marcus highlights that coffee’s effects can vary among individuals and advises his patients with heart arrhythmias to experiment with caffeine consumption to gauge its impact on their condition.
“It’s OK to try coffee and drink coffee,” he said, and patients are often delighted to hear this.
Dr. Marcus emphasizes the importance of personalized medicine, as each individual may react differently to caffeine. He suggests that those concerned about their heart health and coffee consumption should consult their healthcare professional to discuss their situation and determine the best action.
In addition to the findings about irregular heartbeats, the study also found that coffee consumption led to increased physical activity. Participants walked approximately 1,000 more steps on days they drank coffee. This outcome is positive, as physical activity generally benefits overall health and well-being.
However, the study also noted that coffee consumption reduced sleep duration. It is essential to consider the balance between the potential benefits of increased physical activity and the potential drawbacks of reduced sleep when evaluating the overall impact of coffee on an individual’s health. Sleep is crucial to maintaining good health, and consistently sleeping less than the recommended amount could have negative health consequences.
This study adds valuable insights to the discussion about coffee consumption and heart health risks. While it suggests that moderate coffee intake might not significantly impact certain irregular heartbeats, it also highlights the importance of considering individual factors and consulting healthcare professionals to determine the best course of action. Additionally, the study brought attention to the balance between coffee consumption’s potential benefits and drawbacks, such as increased physical activity and reduced sleep, which should be considered when evaluating its overall impact on health.
