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Study Shows Having 2-3 Cups of Coffee Daily is the ‘Sweet Spot’ for Longevity, But Daytime Caffeine Fix Doesn’t Enjoy the Same Benefit
A new study examining over 40,000 American adults has shed light on the optimal timing of coffee consumption in relation to longevity. The research, published in the European Heart Journal, suggests that the timing of coffee consumption might be just as important as how much you drink when it comes to living a longer life.
Researchers from Tulane University, Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and George Washington University identified two distinct patterns of coffee consumption among Americans. The first group, making up 36% of participants, were “morning-type” drinkers who confined their coffee consumption to between 4 a.m. and noon. The second group, comprising 14% of participants, were “all-day-type” drinkers who spread their coffee intake throughout the day and into the evening hours. The remaining 48% were non-coffee drinkers.
The study, which tracked participants over a median period of 9.8 years, found that morning coffee drinkers showed a 16% lower risk of death from all causes and a 31% lower risk of death from heart disease compared to non-coffee drinkers. Heavy coffee drinkers, on the other hand, showed a 21% lower risk of death, while light morning drinkers had a 15% lower risk.
The study’s findings suggest that moderate coffee consumption, particularly among morning drinkers who consumed between two to three cups daily, lowered the risk of all-cause mortality by 29%. Morning coffee drinkers who consumed more than three cups daily had a 21% lower risk of death, while those who consumed one cup or less had a 15% lower risk.
Researchers propose two potential mechanisms behind the benefits of morning coffee consumption. First, afternoon or evening coffee consumption might disrupt our natural circadian rhythms, particularly through its effects on melatonin production. Second, coffee’s anti-inflammatory properties may provide maximum benefit when consumed during morning hours, when our bodies naturally produce higher levels of inflammatory markers.
The study’s authors believe that their findings could have significant public health implications, as coffee remains one of the world’s most popular beverages. While the study observed associations rather than direct cause-and-effect relationships, the results suggest that timing might be an additional factor to consider when making coffee-drinking decisions.