## The Morning Brew: How Your Coffee Habit Could Extend Your Lifespan
Coffee -in- the- morning-
**A
groundbreaking study reveals that the timing of your daily coffee consumption
might be a key factor in promoting longevity and reducing the risk of
cardiovascular disease.**
 |
## The Morning Brew: How Your Coffee Habit Could Extend Your Lifespan
For coffee
aficionados, the news keeps getting better. Recent research published in the
prestigious European Heart Journal suggests that your morning cup of joe isn't
just a ritual; it could be a significant contributor to a longer, healthier
life. However, this study highlights two crucial elements: **timing and
quantity.**
### Timing Trumps Quantity: The Morning Advantage
The study's most
striking finding indicates that individuals who consume coffee in the morning
exhibit a reduced risk of death from cardiovascular disease and a lower overall
mortality rate compared to those who drink coffee throughout the day. This
unexpected revelation challenges common perceptions and underscores the
importance of *when* you enjoy your coffee.
Professor Lu Qi
of Tulane University
the study's lead author, emphasizes
that their research contradicts the widespread belief that coffee consumption
increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Instead, the findings suggest
quite the opposite: coffee may decrease the risk of certain chronic diseases, such
as type 2 diabetes. Crucially, Professor Qi points out that "the time of
consumption is important, with morning being preferable to any other time."
- The comprehensive study involved 40,725 adults who provided detailed
- information on their food and beverage intake over at least one day, including
- coffee consumption, quantity, and timing. A subset of 1,463 participants
- further completed detailed food and drink diaries for an entire week.
The results were compelling: approximately 36% of participants were categorized as morning coffee drinkers. This group showed a remarkable 16% lower risk of death from any cause and a 31% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease.
Interestingly,
the 16% of individuals who drank coffee throughout the day showed no
significant reduction in mortality risk. Even more surprisingly, the outcome
was similar for the 48% who never consumed coffee.
### The "Sweet Spot": Two to Three Cups
The study alsoprovides guidance on optimal intake, suggesting that moderate morning coffee
consumption—between two and three cups daily—maximizes health benefits, particularly
in reducing health risks.
Professor Qi notes that
this is the first study to specifically investigate coffee timing
patterns and their health outcomes. "Our results indicate that it is not
just about the type or quantity of coffee, but also about the time of
consumption," he states. He adds, "We typically do not offer advice
on timing in our dietary guidelines, but perhaps we should consider this in the
future."
The potential
explanations for the morning preference are rooted in the body's circadian
rhythm. Consuming coffee in the afternoon or evening might disrupt the
biological clock and alter levels of hormones such as melatonin. This
disruption, in turn, could lead to changes in cardiovascular disease risk
factors, including inflammation and elevated blood pressure.
The impact of
coffee on human health has been a subject of extensive research over the past two
decades, with this latest study adding a significant new dimension to our
understanding.