Coffee, tea, and cardiovascular risk
In some cases the risk depends on how much you drink each day.
Researchers in the Netherlands report the risk of morbidity and death from stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD), and for mortality due to any cause.
First, the details.
- 37,514 people were observed for 13 years for the occurrence of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
- The amount of coffee and tea consumed was assessed with a validated food-frequency questionnaire.
And, the results.
- CHD
- There was a significant U-shaped association between coffee and CHD, with the best outcomes at more than 2 cups up to 3 cups per day — but not for more or fewer cups per day.
- Drinking more tea was significantly associated with a lower risk of CHD, with the best response occurring at more than 6 cups per day.
- Stroke
- There were no associations between tea or coffee and stroke.
- Death due to CHD
- There was no significant association between coffee and death due to CHD.
- A significant U-shaped association between tea and CHD mortality was observed with the best outcomes at more than 3 cups to 6 cups per day — but not for more or fewer cups per day.
- All-cause mortality.
- There were no associations between tea or coffee and death due to any cause.
The bottom line?
It can be confusing, but the authors concluded the following:
- The results strengthen the evidence for a lower risk of CHD with coffee (2 cups up to 3 cups per day) and tea consumption (more than 6 cups per day).
- Drinking lots of tea (more than 3 cups to 6 cups per day) was associated with a reduced risk of death due to CHD.
Researchers in Finland have a different view of the risk of stroke associated with coffee and tea consumption.
6/25/10 21:09 JR
