New study findings published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition are reporting that women with heart disease who drink a few cups of coffee per day live just as long as women who avoid the beverage.
Theoretically, coffee could be problematic for women with heart disease because the caffeine could raise blood pressure, or have other negative effects on the cardiovascular system. However, these latest findings suggest otherwise.
To investigate, researchers from Universidad Autonoma de Madrid in Spain followed nearly 12,000 U.S. nurses with a history of heart disease or stroke.
During the 20 year study period researchers found that women who regularly drank caffeinated coffee were no more likely to die from heart attack, stroke or any other cause than non-coffee-drinkers.
The findings held true, even for women who downed four or more cups of coffee per day. Even after accounting for factors like age, high blood pressure, diabetes and weight - there was still no association between drinking coffee and risk of death.
Researchers say that while the findings support the idea that people with heart disease who already drink coffee do not have to give it up, they warn that it is difficult to make individual recommendations on safe coffee intake because of genetic variations in people's caffeine metabolism. Some studies have suggested that genetics play a role in whether or not caffeine from coffee can be harmful or helpful. For instance, some research has linked coffee drinking to increased risks of high blood pressure in people who metabolize caffeine slowly. However for people who metabolize caffeine more quickly, it may actually have a protective effect and help guard against heart attack.
For more information on the health effects of caffeine, click here.
Do have nutrition questions, such as how much coffee and caffeine you should be drinking? Click here to learn more about Leslie Beck's brand new service - Expert Nutrition Coach! Expert Nutrition Coach provides you with access to a community of like-minded individuals led by Leslie who can help you reach your personal nutrition and health goals for a small monthly fee - it's perfect for people who want health and nutrition advice, but aren't able to commit to one-on-one counseling.
Theoretically, coffee could be problematic for women with heart disease because the caffeine could raise blood pressure, or have other negative effects on the cardiovascular system. However, these latest findings suggest otherwise.
To investigate, researchers from Universidad Autonoma de Madrid in Spain followed nearly 12,000 U.S. nurses with a history of heart disease or stroke.
During the 20 year study period researchers found that women who regularly drank caffeinated coffee were no more likely to die from heart attack, stroke or any other cause than non-coffee-drinkers.
The findings held true, even for women who downed four or more cups of coffee per day. Even after accounting for factors like age, high blood pressure, diabetes and weight - there was still no association between drinking coffee and risk of death.
Researchers say that while the findings support the idea that people with heart disease who already drink coffee do not have to give it up, they warn that it is difficult to make individual recommendations on safe coffee intake because of genetic variations in people's caffeine metabolism. Some studies have suggested that genetics play a role in whether or not caffeine from coffee can be harmful or helpful. For instance, some research has linked coffee drinking to increased risks of high blood pressure in people who metabolize caffeine slowly. However for people who metabolize caffeine more quickly, it may actually have a protective effect and help guard against heart attack.
For more information on the health effects of caffeine, click here.
Do have nutrition questions, such as how much coffee and caffeine you should be drinking? Click here to learn more about Leslie Beck's brand new service - Expert Nutrition Coach! Expert Nutrition Coach provides you with access to a community of like-minded individuals led by Leslie who can help you reach your personal nutrition and health goals for a small monthly fee - it's perfect for people who want health and nutrition advice, but aren't able to commit to one-on-one counseling.
All research on this web site is the property of Leslie Beck Nutrition Consulting Inc. and is protected by copyright. Keep in mind that research on these matters continues daily and is subject to change. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. It is intended to provide ongoing support of your healthy lifestyle practices.