Drinking two to three cups of coffee a day could be linked to a longer lifespan, new research suggests.
The habit was also linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease when compared to avoiding coffee. Researchers say the findings applied to ground, instant, and decaffeinated coffee, and suggest coffee consumption should be considered part of a healthy lifestyle.
According to the study, the greatest risk reduction was seen with two to three cups per day. Compared with no coffee drinking, this was associated with a 14%, 27% and 11% lower likelihood of death for decaffeinated, ground and instant preparations, respectively.
READ MORE: Salford Royal staff gate-crash hospital chief meeting in pay row protest
Study author Professor Peter Kistler of the Baker Heart and Diabetes Research Institute, Australia, said: “In this large, observational study ground, instant and decaffeinated coffee were associated with equivalent reductions in the incidence of cardiovascular disease and death from cardiovascular disease or any cause.
“The results suggest that mild to moderate intake of ground, instant and decaffeinated coffee should be considered part of a healthy lifestyle.”
The study used data from the UK Biobank study, which recruited adults between 40 and 69 years of age, to examine the links between types of coffee and heart rhythms, cardiovascular disease and death. Cardiovascular disease was made up of coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure and ischaemic stroke.
Prof Kistler said: “Caffeine is the most well-known constituent in coffee, but the beverage contains more than 100 biologically active components. It is likely that the non-caffeinated compounds were responsible for the positive relationships observed between coffee drinking, cardiovascular disease and survival.
“Our findings indicate that drinking modest amounts of coffee of all types should not be discouraged but can be enjoyed as a heart healthy behaviour.”
The study included 449,563 people who completed a questionnaire asking how many cups of coffee they drank each day and whether they usually drank instant, ground or decaffeinated coffee. They were then split into six daily intake categories, consisting of none, less than one, one, two to three, four to five, and more than five cups per day.
Coffee drinkers were compared with non-drinkers for the incidence of arrhythmias (irregular heart beat), cardiovascular disease and death. The study found that all types of coffee were linked with a reduction in death from any cause.
READ NEXT:
- Gunshots blasted at house in Manchester in 'targeted' attack
- Emergency worker diagnosed with PTSD after helping Manchester Arena victims 'denied compensation'
- The best restaurants and bars in Manchester revealed at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards 2022
- BBC Strictly's Matt Goss reunited with pet dog after moving back to the UK as he's flooded with support over 'nasty' criticism
- Police appeal for information after large group spray graffiti on walls of Islamic Centre in 'politically motivated' incident
