Coffee not associated with heart failure

These study results differ from past research, but it’s probably a better study.

First, the details.

• Researchers from the US and Sweden measured coffee consumption using questionnaires among 37,315 men without history of heart attack, diabetes, or heart failure.
• They followed these men for 9 years.

And, the results.

• 784 men experienced heart failure.
• There was no difference between those who drank fewer than 2 cups of coffee per day compared to drinking 5 or more cups per day.

The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “This study did not support the hypothesis that high coffee consumption is associated with increased rates of hospitalization or mortality due to heart failure.”

Earlier research suggested that coffee was associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, and made a big impression on popular culture, according to Dr Emily Levitan from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, in Boston.

This study also has some deficiencies. It included only men living in Sweden, and so the results may not be applicable to the rest of the world or to women. The results  don’t consider the effects of decaffeinated coffee. Also, the results are based on filtered coffee, and may not apply to boiled coffee.

Prior to this research, the American Heart Association stated, “Whether high caffeine intake increases the risk of coronary heart disease is still under study.”

10/19/09 19:29 JR