Good News for Coffee Lovers—Drinking 3 Cups a Day May Boost Heart Health, per New Study

If you’re a coffee lover, we have exciting news for your health. A recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism on Sept. 17, 2024, reveals that consuming moderate amounts of caffeine may significantly lower your risk of developing multiple cardiometabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke. These findings are timely, considering cardiometabolic diseases have become the leading cause of death in high-income countries. 

According to the study, the coexistence of multiple cardiometabolic diseases—known as cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CM)—is becoming increasingly common. As more people face these challenging health issues, it’s essential to understand how dietary choices like coffee consumption can impact long-term health. Read on to learn more.

What the Study Found 

Conducted by researchers from Suzhou Medical College in China, the study analyzed data from the UK Biobank, which includes over 500,000 participants aged 37 to 73. The researchers looked at people who were free of any cardiometabolic diseases at the beginning of the study, resulting in a sample size of 172,315 for caffeine analysis and 188,091 for coffee consumption.

Compared to non-coffee drinkers, those who consumed three cups of coffee daily, equivalent to about 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine, experienced a 48.1% reduced risk of developing CM. Even those who consumed caffeine in moderate amounts saw a 40.7% reduction in risk. 

The study concluded that regular coffee or caffeine intake was associated with a lower risk of new-onset CM. Additionally, the researchers discovered that moderate coffee or caffeine intake was inversely associated with almost all stages of cardiometabolic disease development. This finding means that coffee has potential benefits for heart health and may help prevent the progression of various related conditions.

“Consuming three cups of coffee, or 200 to 300 mg caffeine, per day might help to reduce the risk of developing cardiometabolic multimorbidity in individuals without any cardiometabolic disease,” said Chaofu Ke, M.D., PhD, the study’s lead author and researcher at Suzhou Medical College of Soochow University, in a statement. “The findings highlight that promoting moderate amounts of coffee or caffeine intake as a dietary habit to healthy people might have far-reaching benefits for the prevention of CM.”

How to Enjoy Your Coffee for Maximum Benefits

If you want to reap the most health benefits from your morning brew, keep these tips in mind:

• Consume in moderation: Aim for up to three cups of coffee daily to help minimize any negative side effects like anxiety, jitteriness or poor sleep.
• Look out for additives: Avoid adding too much sugar or cream, as these can counteract coffee’s potential health benefits. Instead, consider healthier alternatives like whole milk, nondairy milk or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

The Bottom Line 

A new study from the Suzhou Medical College in China reveals the potential protective effects of moderate coffee consumption against cardiometabolic diseases. The researchers found that drinking three cups of coffee per day may lower your risk of developing conditions like type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease and stroke by nearly 50%. If you have questions about your coffee consumption or health risks, speak with your health care provider for personalized advice.