New research suggests drinking coffee in the morning might reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease-related death. The study highlights an association between coffee timing and mortality, though it cannot confirm if coffee is the sole cause.
Researchers found that morning coffee drinkers had a lower mortality risk than those consuming coffee throughout the day. Dr. Lu Qi, lead researcher and director at Tulane University Obesity Research Center, stated the findings suggest morning coffee could positively influence health. One possible explanation is that late-day coffee disrupts the body’s internal clock. This disruption may increase cardiovascular risk factors like inflammation and blood pressure.
The study, published in the European Heart Journal, examined data from 40,725 U.S. adults participating in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 and 2018. Participants reported their daily coffee consumption, including the amount and timing. Researchers tracked these individuals for nearly a decade, analyzing their health records and causes of death.
Study Highlights and Observations
During the follow-up period, 4,295 participants died, including 1,268 from cardiovascular-related causes. Morning coffee drinkers were 16% less likely to die from any cause and 31% less likely to die from heart disease than non-coffee drinkers. All-day coffee drinkers, however, did not show a reduced mortality risk compared to non-drinkers.
Dr. Qi explained this study is the first to examine the timing of coffee consumption and its impact on health. He emphasized the need for further research, including clinical trials, to validate these findings in other populations.
An editorial by Prof. Thomas F. Luscher from London’s Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals explored why coffee timing might matter. He noted that morning hours coincide with increased sympathetic activity as the body wakes, an effect diminishing throughout the day. Drinking coffee later might interfere with the body’s natural rhythms, particularly melatonin production, a key sleep regulator.
Researchers also observed that morning coffee drinkers consumed less coffee overall than all-day drinkers. They were more likely to drink tea or caffeinated soda, suggesting their coffee habits may differ in ways influencing health outcomes.
The study concludes that moderate morning coffee consumption could contribute to better cardiovascular health. However, it calls for more in-depth research to explore the connection between coffee timing and long-term health benefits.
