Coffee drinking associated with lower risk of dying

Coffee drinking associated with lower risk of dying over 18.7 year period

Tuesday, May 26, 2015. The results of a study of middle-aged men and women revealed a lower risk of mortality among coffee drinkers over an average of 18.7 years of follow-up in comparison with those who did not consume the beverage.

The study, reported in the May 2015 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, included 90,914 participants in the Japan Public Health Center-based prospective study who had no history of heart attack, stroke or cancer upon enrollment. Surveys completed at the beginning of the study provided information on coffee intake and other data. The subjects were followed for an average of 18.7 years, during which 12,874 deaths occurred.

In comparison with those who reported almost never drinking coffee, occasional drinkers who consumed less than a cup a day had a 9% lower risk of dying from any cause over follow up, while those who consumed 1-2 and 3-4 cups experienced reductions of 15% and 24%. Coffee was found to be protective for both men and women, and smokers and nonsmokers across all age groups. When cause of death was examined, coffee drinking was associated with a significantly lower risk of mortality from cerebrovascular disease, heart disease and respiratory disease.

As possible mechanisms for coffee against cardiovascular disease, authors Eiko Saito of Japan's National Cancer Center and colleagues observe that the beverage is rich in chlorogenic acid, which slows the rate of glucose absorption and lowers blood pressure. Additionally, caffeine boosts endothelial function by activating nitric oxide synthases and promoting endothelial repair. Coffee also contains pyridinium, which helps prevent excessive blood clotting.

In regard to respiratory disease, caffeine is known to act as a bronchodilator, which improves pulmonary function. The authors additionally note that chlorogenic acid has been associated with a reduction in the risk of mortality due to inflammation.

"This prospective cohort study suggests that habitual intake of coffee may reduce risk of total mortality and deaths from heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and respiratory disease," the authors conclude. "Additional studies are needed to confirm the benefits of individual substances in coffee and their effects on preventing premature mortality."

What's Hot

Coffee consumption could help protect against MS

A presentation at the American Academy of Neurology's 67th Annual Meeting held in Washington, DC, April 18 to 25, 2015 revealed a protective effect for coffee drinking against the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS), a progressive disease of the nervous system.

Ellen Mowry, MD, MCR, and colleagues evaluated data from two case-control studies, conducted in Sweden and the United States. The Swedish study compared 1,629 individuals with MS to 2,807 subjects without the disease, and the American study included 584 MS patients and 581 controls. The amount of coffee consumed one, five or ten years before diagnosis was ascertained among those with the disease, and was compared to the intake of those without MS during a similar time period.

The researchers observed a 33% lower risk of MS among subjects who consumed at least six cups of coffee per day the year before diagnosis in comparison with those who did not consume coffee at the same point in time. In the U.S. study, drinking four cups or more per day was associated with a similar benefit. High intake of coffee five or ten years prior to diagnosis was also associated with significant protection.

In their abstract, the authors note that caffeine has neuroprotective properties and appears to suppress proinflammatory cytokine production. "Caffeine intake has been associated with a reduced risk of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, and our study shows that coffee intake may also protect against MS, supporting the idea that the drug may have protective effects for the brain," stated Dr Mowry, MD, of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore. "Caffeine should be studied for its impact on relapses and long-term disability in MS as well."

Life Extension Clinical Research Update

Coffee in cognitive, metabolic and immune health
South Florida location

Subjective memory complaints are common and may be an indicator of early cognitive decline. Research indicates coffee may support specific immune factors associated with cognitive health. Life Extension is proud to sponsor this study which examines the effect of coffee ingestion on cognition, metabolic parameters and specific immune markers. Register now if you would like to take part in this research study!

Or Call For Details: 1-866-517-4536

Study objective:
Assess the effectiveness and safety of daily consumption of coffee on cognitive, metabolic and immune health in male and female participants over the course of 60 days who initially report subjective memory complaints.

To qualify:

You must be between 50 and 70 years of age
Be overweight (BMI of 25 - 35)
Overall healthy
Interested in consuming 3 cups of coffee daily (and currently not consuming more than 1 cup daily)
Able to comply with all study procedures and visits

Your involvement:

You will attend 5 visits over 60 days.
You will receive the study product (organic coffee) to be studied, supplies, clinical evaluations, cognitive evaluations and blood tests

Compensation:

Study product (organic coffee) and supplies (e.g., French press and thermos)
Blood tests (including specific immune markers associated with cognitive health)
Clinical evaluations
Up to $200 for time and travel expenses
$100 gift card toward purchases from the Life Extension Foundation Buyers Club
Referral bonus available: $50*

*If you refer someone who enrolls in a study and completes their final visit with closeout procedures, you will be compensated the amount noted for the study.

https://www.lifeextension.com/ClinicalResearch/ClinicalTrials

Highlight

Life Extension Magazine® June 2015 E-Issue now Available

Book Excerpt: The Truth about Men and Sex
Male Menopause, by Abraham Morgentaler, MD, FACS

Stop the fat cycle, by Marcus Phillips

Beyond cholesterol: The value of testing beyond cholesterol and LDL for the prevention of heart disease, by Scott Fogle, ND

Protect your skin from age-related glycation, by Robert Goldfaden and Gary Goldfaden, MD

Block the deadly effects of acid reflux, by Michael Downey

Misguided medicine, by William Faloon

Departments

As we see it: Surprising factor behind sudden cardiac arrest, by William Faloon

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Wellness profile: Surviving environmental toxins, by Donna Caruso

Author interview: Sandeep Jauhar, by Astrid Derfler Kessler

Health Concern

Atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease

Despite the fact that cardiovascular disease is the single most deadly disease in the United States, most individuals, including most mainstream physicians, have a flawed fundamental understanding of the disease. The fact is, long before any symptoms are clinically evident, vascular disease begins as a malfunction of specialized cells that line our arteries. These cells, called endothelial cells, are the key to atherosclerosis and underlying endothelial dysfunction is the central feature of this dreaded disease.

Not every person who suffers from atherosclerosis presents with the risk factors commonly associated with the condition, such as elevated cholesterol, but every single person with atherosclerosis has endothelial dysfunction. Aging humans are faced with an onslaught of atherogenic risk factors that, over time, contribute to endothelial dysfunction and the development of atherosclerosis.

Nitric oxide is an important messenger molecule required for healthy cardiovascular function. Nitric oxide enables blood vessels to expand and contract with youthful elasticity and is vital to maintaining the structural integrity of the endothelium, thus protecting against vascular disease. Even when all other risk factors are controlled for, the age-related decline in endothelial nitric oxide too often causes accelerated vascular disease unless corrective measures are taken. Commercial blood tests are not yet available at affordable prices to assess nitric oxide status. Aging individuals should assume they are developing a nitric oxide deficit in their inner arterial wall (the endothelium) and follow simple steps outlined in this protocol to protect themselves (Yavuz, 2004; Cai, 2000; Nitenberg, 2006).