A new study reveals: coffee may prevent diabetes, heart attacks and strokes

Another evidence of the health value of coffee: A new study found that two to three cups of coffee a day may reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Those who consumed 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine per day had a lower risk of heart attacks, strokes, and diabetes. The findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism and add to previous studies that have found health benefits for coffee.

The researchers from China and Sweden analyzed the coffee and tea drinking habits of 188,000 people aged 37 to 73 from a British medical database. The subjects filled out questionnaires about their beverage consumption during the last 24 hours. The researchers also examined the responses of approximately 172,000 people who stated that they drank caffeinated coffee or tea. None of the subjects had a history of heart disease or diabetes at the beginning of the study and after 12 years.

The researchers found that those who consumed 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine daily had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes than those who consumed less than 100 milligrams per day. Those who drank 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine had a 40% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes compared to those who consumed less than 100 milligrams. For tea drinkers the risk decreased by about three cups a day. Even those who consumed over 400 milligrams of caffeine per day – 4% of the caffeine drinkers in the study – had no negative effects on cardiovascular health.

As mentioned, in the past many studies have already been published that demonstrated the health benefits of moderate drinking of coffee and tea. Among other things, it was found that daily caffeine consumption also reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, reducing the risk of brain degenerative diseases such as dementia, and even reducing the risk of developing liver, endometrial and colon cancers.

It is not yet clear what in caffeine causes protection against disease. One hypothesis is that caffeine acts as a blocker of the receptors for the chemical substance adenosine, which leads to increased neural activity. In addition, caffeine contains antioxidants that help protect the body’s cells from free radicals. Caffeine also encourages the release of neurotransmitters such as adrenaline, serotonin and dopamine and improves blood flow and oxygen in the arteries. Caffeine is also known as an anti-inflammatory agent that may reduce the inflammatory processes associated with neurological, metabolic and cardiac diseases.