How Coffee-Drinking May Affect Early Death Risk – Study

A study published in European Heart Journal on Tuesday indicates that limiting coffee intake to the morning could be the most beneficial—regardless of how much coffee is consumed or other factors, such as genetics or added sweeteners.

“This is the first study to explore how the timing of coffee drinking might influence health outcomes,” said Dr. Lu Qi, the lead author of the study and a professor at Tulane University’s Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health in New Orleans. “While we don’t typically provide advice on timing in dietary guidelines, this research suggests it could be something worth considering in the future.”

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Previous studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption is linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. However, the influence of factors like genetics, quantity, or added sweeteners has remained unclear or inconsistent.

The new study analyzed the health and dietary data of 40,725 adults aged 18 and older from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1999-2018).

Participants provided details on their daily dietary intake, and a subset of 1,463 adults was included in a separate validation study. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee were considered, and consumption was categorized into three periods: morning (4 a.m. to 11:59 a.m.), afternoon (12 p.m. to 4:59 p.m.), and evening (5 p.m. to 3:59 a.m.).

The study identified two main coffee-drinking patterns: morning-only and all-day. After nearly 10 years of follow-up, 4,295 deaths from all causes occurred, including 1,268 from cardiovascular disease and 934 from cancer.

Morning-only coffee drinkers had a 16% lower risk of premature death and a 31% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to non-coffee drinkers. In contrast, those who drank coffee throughout the day saw no reduction in risk.

These findings held even after adjusting for variables like sleep habits, age, race, sex, education, physical activity, diet, and health conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.

Interestingly, it didn’t matter how much coffee people drank in the morning—whether they consumed less than one cup or more than three cups daily—having coffee in the morning was still linked to lower mortality risk.

Vanessa King, a registered dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, cautioned that this study was observational, meaning it could not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

Nevertheless, she noted that the findings are significant because cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S.

Why Timing Might Matter

Dr. David Kao, an expert in heart health, praised the study as one of the best on the subject in recent years, particularly due to its use of machine learning to categorize coffee drinking patterns and its validation with external data sources.

However, Kao also pointed out some limitations: for example, the accuracy of participants’ dietary recollections could be questionable, and the study didn’t account for long-term habits.

The researchers also acknowledged that morning coffee drinkers may represent an overall healthier lifestyle, possibly exercising more and consuming less processed food.

A potential explanation for the findings is that drinking coffee in the afternoon or evening may disrupt circadian rhythms and melatonin production.

Melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep, plays a role in blood pressure and oxidative stress—factors linked to cardiovascular disease. In addition, coffee contains antioxidants that help reduce inflammation, which is known to contribute to heart disease.

The study suggests that the anti-inflammatory effects of coffee may be stronger when consumed in the morning, as inflammatory markers in the blood are typically highest at that time.

Adjusting Your Coffee Routine

If you’re considering limiting your coffee intake to the morning but struggle with late-day fatigue, experts suggest evaluating your sleep quality. Poor rest, possibly caused by sleep conditions like sleep apnea, may be contributing to your afternoon slump. Additionally, diluting your daytime coffee with water or staying hydrated may help you feel more alert.

For those who don’t currently drink coffee but are thinking of adding it to their routine, dietitians recommend first assessing your overall lifestyle. A balanced, physically active lifestyle with a sustainable diet is key to reaping any potential benefits from coffee.

Until further research clarifies the optimal timing for coffee consumption, it’s best to follow individual advice from your doctor or dietitian regarding caffeine intake.