Best time to drink coffee for longevity and heart health, according to new research

Drinking coffee in the morning rather than throughout the day is strongly associated with a lower risk of death, according to a new study published in . european heart journal. This benefit was even more pronounced for morning coffee drinkers who consumed at least two cups each day.

This large observational study included data from more than 40,000 U.S. adults. Researchers considered factors that could influence results, including sleep duration, physical activity level, smoking status, and diet quality.

People who drank at least one or two cups of coffee in the morning had a 16% lower risk of dying from any cause and a 31% lower risk of dying from heart disease compared to those who didn't drink coffee.

“Coffee gets an unfair reputation, but there is more data showing that coffee is part of a healthy dietary pattern,” he said. Bethany Dorfler, MS, RDNa senior clinical research dietitian at Northwestern Medical School's Digestive Health Institute, was not involved in the study.

Previous research has linked coffee to many health benefits. heart disease, type 2 diabetesand depression. However, this study is one of the first to examine the duration of coffee consumption and its health benefits.

Caffeine content does not fully explain study results

Millions of Americans drink coffee every day, often for energy, but consuming caffeine late in the day can make it harder to sleep at night. Possibly. Some studies suggest cutting out caffeinated beverages at least eight hours before bedtime.

Drinking coffee at the end of the day can affect your sleep duration and quality. “Lack of sleep is a risk factor for obesity and metabolic syndrome.” Gabriel Judd, MS, RD, LDNA clinical nutrition expert at Johns Hopkins University Bayview Medical Center told Berrywell via email.

It takes about three to four hours for the body to break down half the amount of caffeine, Judd added, depending on the individual's metabolism and additives such as full-fat creamers.

New research highlights that drinking coffee in the afternoon can disrupt your circadian rhythm. melatonin production. According to research, melatonin Disturbed sleep can increase your risk of heart disease.

However, the study also included decaffeinated coffee, so caffeine content alone cannot fully explain the findings.

“[O]Other ingredients of coffee polyphenol It may also contribute to coffee's health benefits. ” Frank Hu, MD, PhD, MPHProfessor of Nutrition and Epidemiology at Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health and co-author of the study told Berrywell via email.

Coffee's anti-inflammatory properties may be more potent when consumed in the morning.

“The observed health benefits of morning coffee consumption are likely due to the combined effects of caffeine, polyphenols, and a reduction in disruption of the body's natural circadian rhythm,” Hu said. said.

Is it okay to drink coffee only in the morning?

If you don't drink much coffee, you don't need to start drinking coffee because of this study.

“Cause and effect are not understood. This is especially important if some people don't like the taste of coffee and choose types with more added sugar or cream to increase their intake.” Alice H. Lichtenstein, DScsenior scientist at the Gene Mayer USDA Center for Aging and Human Nutrition Research at Tufts University.

Adding cream or sweeteners to your coffee can increase the calories, sugar, and saturated fat in your beverage, which can negate the health benefits touted in research.

People who drink coffee “at night” or “throughout the day” may reap more benefits by switching to a “morning-only” habit, Judd said.

“This study could help ease the concerns of people who want to drink coffee but are worried that it may have negative health effects,” Judd added.