A new study has suggested that people who drink coffee in the morning have a lower risk of dying from heart disease and a lower overall mortality risk compared to those who drink coffee throughout the day and night.
The study, published in the European Heart Journal earlier this month, aimed to identify patterns in coffee drinking timing and evaluate their associations with all-cause and cause-specific mortality.
Researchers from Tulane University analyzed data from 40,725 adults who participated in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 and 2018. They examined participants' daily diets, including their coffee consumption habits, such as the amount consumed and the timing.
Of the participants, 36% were morning coffee drinkers, while 14% were all-day coffee consumers. After nearly 10 years, 4,295 people had died, including 1,268 from heart disease.
The study found that morning coffee drinkers had a 16% lower risk of death from all causes and a 31% lower risk of death from heart disease compared to non-coffee drinkers. It also found that drinking coffee throughout the day did not reduce mortality risk compared to non-coffee drinkers.
The research revealed that morning coffee consumption was more strongly associated with reduced mortality risk than drinking coffee later in the day.
However, the study could not confirm that coffee consumption was the sole reason for the observed benefits.
Dr. Lu Qi, lead researcher and director of the Tulane University Obesity Research Center, explained that while the study does not identify the exact cause, it suggests that drinking coffee later in the day may disrupt the body’s internal clock, whereas morning consumption may have a protective effect.
He further explained that drinking coffee in the afternoon or evening may interfere with the body’s circadian rhythms, altering hormone levels, including melatonin, which can affect heart health by increasing inflammation and blood pressure.
Previous studies have also linked regular coffee consumption, particularly in moderate amounts, to a reduced risk of developing heart-related diseases. For example, a study published last year in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism found that moderate coffee and caffeine consumption can protect against several cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. This study involved 360,406 participants without cardiometabolic diseases.
Another study published online by Annals of Internal Medicine on May 31, 2022, concluded that moderate consumption of both unsweetened and sugar-sweetened coffee was associated with a lower risk of death. This study analyzed data from more than 170,000 people in the United Kingdom who did not have cardiovascular disease or cancer.
However, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional before making any changes to lifestyle or diet, as they can provide personalized advice based on individual needs and health status.