Coffee

Higher Coffee Intake Tied to Lower Mortality Risk

Higher coffee intake is linked to significantly lower risk for death, two large studies confirm. The benefit was found in diverse European populations, as well as across different racial/ethnic groups, researchers report in articles published online today in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Because coffee is one of the most popular drinks in the United States and worldwide, the public health effect of coffee intake could be substantial, even if the effect on an individual is small.

“[O]ur results suggest that higher levels of coffee drinking are associated with lower risk for death from various causes, specifically digestive and circulatory diseases,” the authors write.

Nevertheless, the editorialists note that coffee consumption is a complex phenomenon and that coffee contains various substances, including bioactive compounds. As a consequence, the health and mortality benefits of coffee may depend on components other than caffeine, they say.

It would therefore be premature to recommend coffee intake to reduce mortality or prevent chronic disease, the editorialists add. “However, it is increasingly evident that moderate coffee intake up to 3 to 5 cups per day, or caffeine intake up to 400 mg/d, is not associated with adverse health effects in adults and can be incorporated into a healthy diet,” they conclude.

Of course, if you are sensitive to caffeine, go the decaf route. An excellent coffee rich in the desired antioxidants is the Life Extension brand found at Barekmed.com/store.