Coffee Could be More Than Just a Morning Pick-Me-Up

A lot of people need to start their day with a morning cup of Joe. That cup of coffee up does more than just wake them up a bit; it helps set the tone for the day and gives confidence that they can handle whatever the world may throw at them in the coming hours.

But there may be an unexpected health benefit to that mug of “Go Juice.” New research indicates that moderate amounts of caffeine intake — defined as about three cups of coffee or tea a day — were associated with a lower risk of developing cardiometabolic multimorbidity, according to the study’s lead author, Dr. Chaofu Ke, associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Soochow University in Suzhou, China.

Cardiometabolic multimorbidity, or CM, is the coexistence of at least two cardiometabolic diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure.

“Coffee and caffeine consumption may play an important protective role in almost all phases of CM development,” Ke said.

Moderate caffeine consumers had a reduced risk of new onset cardiometabolic multimorbidity. The risk was reduced by 48.1% if they had three cups a day, or 40.7% if they had 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine daily, compared with people who didn’t drink or drank less than one cup, Ke said.

The study also didn’t take into consideration the impact of caffeine from carbonated beverages or energy drinks, meaning that researchers can’t say whether those substances would also have a positive effect, Ke said.

I am not a coffee drinker, so should I start now based on this new research?

Although the new study should provide comfort to those who already have a coffee or tea habit, it isn’t necessarily a sign to start a regular caffeine routine, said Dr. Gregory Marcus, associate chief of cardiology for research and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco. 

“It is also important to mention that more is not necessarily better,” he added.

“Even if caffeine, coffee, and tea in the amounts described in this study … are indeed healthy, there is also strong evidence that high-dose caffeine, particularly when included in artificial concoctions like energy drinks, may actually cause harmful and even dangerous heart rhythm problems.”

So, apparently taken in moderation coffee may have some benefits. Just don't overdo it!

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