![]() ![]() In other words, heart health issues led people to drink less coffee, rather than the other way round. The findings of the new research suggest that observational studies that found an association between coffee consumption and better health may have fallen prey to “ reverse causation.” ![]() “Conversely, a noncoffee drinker, or someone who drinks decaffeinated coffee, is more likely prone to the adverse effects of caffeine and more susceptible to high blood pressure,” she adds. “What this means is that someone who drinks a lot of coffee is likely more genetically tolerant of caffeine, as compared to someone who drinks very little,” says Prof. When they analyzed the data, it showed that having a particular genetic variant determined how much coffee a person drank. This technique exploits the random inheritance of genetic variants that increase a person’s risk of a particular outcome later in life - in this case, the association between blood pressure and heart rate with habitual coffee consumption.īecause factors, such as lifestyle or diet, cannot change a person’s genetic sequence, any associations that the researchers discovered must be due to the gene variants rather than any other factors. To determine whether regular coffee consumption caused the symptoms, or whether the symptoms triggered a reduction in coffee consumption, the researchers used a statistical technique called Mendelian randomization. Participants with high blood pressure, angina, or arrhythmia consumed less caffeinated coffee compared with those without these symptoms. ![]() Researchers also measured their blood pressure and heart rate and noted any cardiovascular symptoms. On recruitment, participants reported their regular coffee consumption. The scientists drew on information about 390,435 white British participants aged 39–73 years who are part of a medical and genetic database called UK Biobank. In reality, people vulnerable to high blood pressure may simply avoid drinking coffee because, for them, the caffeine is more likely to cause unpleasant symptoms. In observational studies, this effect could give the false impression that coffee prevents high blood pressure and protects the heart. “Listen to your body - it’s more in tune with your health than you may think.” “If your body is telling you not to drink that extra cup of coffee, there’s likely a reason why,” she adds. “Whether we drink a lot of coffee, a little, or avoid caffeine altogether, this study shows that genetics are guiding our decisions to protect our cardio health,” Professor Elina Hyppönen, who led the research and directs the Australian Centre for Precision Health at the university. Researchers at the University of South Australia in Adelaide conducted the study, which appears in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. This rules out the alternative explanation that consuming less coffee made them more vulnerable to cardiovascular disease. The research found that individuals with high blood pressure, angina, or arrhythmia drank less caffeinated coffee and were more likely to drink decaffeinated coffee.Ĭrucially, there was strong evidence that their genetic vulnerability to cardiovascular disease led to their reduced consumption of coffee. One explanation may be that coffee drinkers develop a physiological tolerance for the effects of caffeine.īut a new study suggests that people with a high genetic risk of cardiovascular disease unconsciously reduce how much they drink to avoid unpleasant cardiovascular symptoms. So it may come as a surprise that regular coffee drinkers either have normal or reduced blood pressure compared with people who do not drink coffee. The research was limited to white British participants.Īs a result of the caffeine that coffee contains, excessive consumption can cause unpleasant symptoms such as tachycardia (a fast resting heart rate) and palpitations.ĭrinking coffee can also lead to a moderate, temporary increase in blood pressure. However, a new study suggests that some of the supposed health benefits of coffee for cardiovascular health may have been overblown. Prospective studies, which follow people over time, have provided evidence that drinking this beverage is safe for most people and is associated with lower mortality rates. The unmistakable taste and smell of coffee - not to mention its ability to perk people up in the morning - have made it one of the world’s most popular beverages.īetter still, observational studies indicate that coffee may protect against cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and certain cancers. ![]()
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