The Impact of Coffee Subtypes on Cardiovascular Disease
Coffee is a common go-to drink when you need to wake up in the morning before class or stay up late working. This energy boost is caused by a substance in coffee called caffeine. While many are informed about coffee’s negative side effects such as restlessness and anxiety, research from the UK Biobank database in September 2022 demonstrates that coffee may be associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The paper compares the effects of ground coffee, instant coffee, and decaffeinated coffee on CVD using a collection of information from 449,564 individuals who self-reported their coffee consumption and CVD-related effects, such as coronary heart disease and congestive heart failure. These participants were categorized based on their daily intake of coffee from one to five cups of coffee a day.
The researchers involved in the study found that consumption of two to three cups of any of the coffee subtypes (instant, ground, or decaffeinated) was associated with decreased occurrence of CVD. It was found that decaffeinated coffee drinkers had 6% lower risk of CVD compared to 8% for instant coffee drinkers and 20% lower risk for ground coffee drinkers. It was also found that participants who consumed two to three cups of caffeinated coffee per day had the lowest risk of arrhythmia. The research established that this effect is caused by the interaction in our body between caffeine and proteins that receive adenosine, known as adenosine receptors. Caffeine blocks adenosine, a chemical which is known to increase the risk of arrhythmia, from its receptors. This same mechanism also causes the increased alertness associated with drinking coffee since a lack of adenosine delays feelings of sleepiness. Other than caffeine, coffee contains antioxidants and polyphenols that regulate our metabolism, or the breakdown of food, and have many positive effects such as insulin resistance and leptin production — coffee causes insulin to act more slowly, preventing blood sugar levels from dropping too low, while it decreases leptin levels and consequently leads to reduced feelings of hunger.
The researchers involved in the study found that consumption of two to three cups of any of the coffee subtypes (instant, ground, or decaffeinated) was associated with decreased occurrence of CVD. It was found that decaffeinated coffee drinkers had 6% lower risk of CVD compared to 8% for instant coffee drinkers and 20% lower risk for ground coffee drinkers. It was also found that participants who consumed two to three cups of caffeinated coffee per day had the lowest risk of arrhythmia. The research established that this effect is caused by the interaction in our body between caffeine and proteins that receive adenosine, known as adenosine receptors. Caffeine blocks adenosine, a chemical which is known to increase the risk of arrhythmia, from its receptors. This same mechanism also causes the increased alertness associated with drinking coffee since a lack of adenosine delays feelings of sleepiness. Other than caffeine, coffee contains antioxidants and polyphenols that regulate our metabolism, or the breakdown of food, and have many positive effects such as insulin resistance and leptin production — coffee causes insulin to act more slowly, preventing blood sugar levels from dropping too low, while it decreases leptin levels and consequently leads to reduced feelings of hunger.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States with approximately one person dying to CVD every 34 seconds. Fortunately, many forms of CVD can be prevented through regular checkups and a healthy lifestyle.
Image Source: "Heart Attack Concept, Woman Suffering from Chest Pain" by Marco Verch is licensed by CC BY 2.0
There are some limitations to the research, including self-reported data and a restricted population of patients. Firstly, self-reporting may limit the accuracy of research. For instance, answers may be exaggerated or modified to be socially desirable. Another vital detail to notice in UK Biobank’s study is the background of the survey respondents. There was a larger female (55.3%) participant population than male (44.7%). In addition, these participants ranged from 50 to 64 years old and were mostly Caucasian (90.5% among non-coffee drinkers, 96.4% among decaffeinated coffee drinkers, 96.7% among ground coffee drinkers, and 96.1% among instant coffee drinkers). The actual influence coffee consumption has on a person’s heart health may vary between gender and race. For example, men develop heart disease much earlier than women and more cases among men are diagnosed than among women. More so, minorities are impacted by various social factors such as access to healthcare and finances that increase their risk of diabetes and hypertension, factors contributing to CVD. For example, Hispanic women are more than twice as likely as white women to suffer from diabetes. These health disparities should be considered when applying research results, especially in regards to a large population.
The study indicates that moderately drinking coffee could be beneficial for the cardiovascular future of the 1 billion coffee drinkers worldwide, and in the 7 in 10 Americans who drink coffee weekly according to the National Coffee Association. As such, this research has implications for a broad population, yet it needs further studies with more diverse samples to test its reliability.
The study indicates that moderately drinking coffee could be beneficial for the cardiovascular future of the 1 billion coffee drinkers worldwide, and in the 7 in 10 Americans who drink coffee weekly according to the National Coffee Association. As such, this research has implications for a broad population, yet it needs further studies with more diverse samples to test its reliability.
Featured Image Source: Myriams-Fotos
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