The latest recommendations were not to exceed the 4 cups of coffee per day. Beyond this figure, the negative effects of this stimulant would appear. A new study, carried out by researchers at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), however calls this figure into question. Indeed, drinking coffee, up to 8 cups per day, would be associated with a lower risk of death. Details of their study have been published in the journal JAMA International Medicine.
Scientists analyzed data from nearly 500,000 people, an average of 57 years old, who took part in the UK Biobank study. This study gathered health information on more than 9 million people. Respondents had to say how many cups of coffee they drank per day (even if it was decaffeinated), describe their general state of health, their education, and their smoking and alcohol consumption habits. DNA samples from the volunteers were also collected.
Effects even without caffeine!
These people were followed over 10 years, during which 14,000 participants died (out of 500,000). The main causes were cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. The researchers found that the more coffee a person drank, the lower their risk of dying during the study period. These results are valid whether it is ground, instant or decaffeinated coffee. “These results suggest that the many other compounds in coffee, besides caffeine, could be responsible,” Erikka Loftfield, lead author of the study, told Live Science.
In addition, when the researchers looked at the genetic data of the participants, they identified four genes known to be associated with caffeine metabolism, which is how the body processes caffeine. Some previous studies had suggested that people with these gene variations might be at higher risk for cardiovascular disease. But in this new study, scientists found no link between these variations and a person’s risk of death during the study period.
A correlation and not a causality
The researchers point out that the study only found an association with coffee and longevity, but did not prove that coffee leads to a longer life. “While these results may reassure coffee drinkers, they come from an observational study and should be interpreted with caution,” said Erikka Loftfield. So this does not mean that you should increase your coffee consumption. Indeed, only 10,000 of the 500,000 participants drank at least 8 cups of coffee per day, and the risk of death compared to those who consumed only 4 was only slightly higher. To sum up, this study provides additional evidence that drinking coffee can be part of a healthy diet. Only, of course, if we do not abuse the cream and sugar !
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