Daily Coffee consumption Linked to Lower Risk of Heart rhythm Problems, New Study Finds
Washington D.C. – Good news for coffee drinkers: a daily cup may actually reduce the risk of developing heart rhythm disorders, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.Researchers found that individuals with atrial fibrillation, the most common type of irregular heartbeat, experienced fewer recurrences of the condition when consuming at least one cup of coffee daily.
The study, dubbed DECAF, followed 200 participants diagnosed with atrial fibrillation for six months. Half were instructed to drink a minimum of one cup of coffee each day, while the other half abstained. Results showed that 47 percent of those who continued to drink coffee experienced a return of heart rhythm disorders, compared to 64 percent in the group that avoided coffee.
While the exact mechanism behind this affect remains unclear, scientists believe caffeine may play a role by blocking adenosine receptors, which are involved in the development of irregular heartbeats. Coffee also contains numerous compounds with anti-inflammatory properties and may have a mild blood pressure-lowering effect.Interestingly, the study also noted that coffee drinkers tended to exercise more frequently, a behavior already known to protect against cardiac arrhythmias.
Researchers caution that further investigation is needed, as factors like diet, exercise habits, and other caffeine sources weren’t fully accounted for. However, the findings offer encouraging evidence that moderate coffee consumption is more likely to benefit than harm heart health.
