Love a cup of coffee? Just watch the timing
Registered dietitian Jordan Watson enjoys her coffee.
She also knows it’s a pleasure best enjoyed in moderation and at certain times.
Yes, if you drink coffee late at night and even late in the afternoon, it can interfere with your sleep.
That’s due to the stimulation of its caffeine, said Watson, who works at Bartow Regional Medical Center, part of the BayCare health system.
But, she added, other components of coffee, specifically its antioxidants, can benefit heart health.
Multiplying studies are showing health benefits for people who drink one or two cups of coffee a day, with some studies indicating up to four cups a day.
Although the creamer and sugar you add aren’t helping your heart from a dietary standpoint if they have you consuming too many calories.
An August article from the American Heart Association said a couple of 8-ounce cups of coffee a day can make people feel more alert and less tired.
Three studies presented at the American College of Cardiology’s 2022 Annual Scientific Session found coffee, particularly two or three cups a day, may be associated with lower risk of heart disease and with living longer.
These add to a growing amount of research evidence showing coffee, when consumed in moderation, can provide benefits without necessarily hurting sleep.
“There are definitely pros and cons,” Watson said.
“The pros are caffeine is going to boost your energy. It improves athletic performance.”
That may translate into giving people the stimulus they need to get in an extra amount of walking or other exercise, a plus for health.
A review of 40 studies concluded drinking 2-to-4 cups of coffee a day was associated with lower risk of death, regardless of factors like age, weight and alcohol consumption, Watson said.
That article published August 2019 in the European Journal of Epidemiology.
“There are some good studies out there saying coffee drinkers tend to live longer,” she said.
Some studies indicate coffee in moderation may reduce risk of Parkinson’s disease and dementia, although results are mixed, she said.
Negative aspects include the potential impact of too much coffee on blood pressure and disruption of sleep.
In one of the studies presented at this year’s cardiology conference, 382,535 people without known cardiovascular disease were studied to see whether coffee drinking was involved in developing heart disease or stroke.
“In general, having two to three cups of coffee a day was associated with the greatest benefit, translating to a 10 percent to 15 percent lower risk of developing coronary heart disease, heart failure, arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) or dying for any reason,” the cardiology college said in a summary of those findings.
Risk of stroke or cardiovascular-related death was lowest among people who drank one cup of coffee a day, the report found.
Several studies have found coffee could support liver health and protect against disease, Watson said.
Every person is different, however. Some metabolize coffee more quickly than others. Some have existing health problems such as uncontrolled blood pressure.
“It can affect your blood pressure,” Watson said. “If you have unmanaged high blood pressure, coffee may not be a good choice for you.”
TIMING IS IMPORTANT
For people on regular daytime schedules, it’s best not to drink coffee after dinner, said Dr. Avinash Khanna, a cardiologist with Lakeland Regional Health.
Caffeine’s impact lasts longer than people realize, Khanna said, recommending people who have difficulty sleeping not drink coffee or similar stimulants after two or three in the afternoon.
Too much or poorly timed coffee drinking can cause anxiety, jitteriness, heart palpitations and, for some people, increased panic attacks, Watson said.
Contact Robin Williams Adams at robinwadams99@yahoo.com
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Pros and Cons of Coffee and Heart Health
