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3-5 cups of coffee per day may reduce Cardiovascular Disease mortality risk by up to 21%


Coffee and Cardiovascular disease

Coffee and Cardiovascular disease

A recent report by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC), a not-for-profit organisation devoted to the study and disclosure of science related to coffee and health, highlights the potential role of coffee consumption in reducing Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) mortality risk.

The report concludes that, based on current research, moderate coffee consumption at approximately 3–5 cups per day may have a protective effect against CVD mortality risk. The finding is significant given that coronary heart disease and stroke remain the primary cause of death across Europe; responsible for 51% of all deaths in women and 42% of all deaths in men. Over four million people die from CVD annually in Europe and overall, CVD is estimated to cost the EU economy €196 billion every year.

Carlo La Vecchia, Professor of Epidemiology, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community, University of Milan, commented:  “It is important to acknowledge factors which might have a protective effect against CVD mortality. Moderate coffee consumption could play a significant role in reducing CVD mortality risk which would impact health outcomes and healthcare spending across Europe.”


Key report highlights:

  • The lowest CVD mortality risk is seen at an intake of approximately 3 cups of coffee per day, with a percentage risk reduction of up to 21%.1
  • Two 2014 meta-analyses suggest an association between coffee consumption and CVD risk, proposing a ‘U-shaped’ pattern whereby optimal protective effects were achieved with 3-5 cups of coffee per day.3,4
  • Drinking 3-4 cups of coffee per day is associated with an approximate 25% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to consuming none or less than 2 cups per day.1 People with diabetes typically have a higher CVD mortality risk, therefore this association may be linked to a decreased CVD risk.5
  • Half of CVD cases in women could be avoided by modifying lifestyle choices, as approximately 73% of CHD cases and 46% of clinical CVD are attributable to an unhealthy lifestyle.6

The mechanisms of action behind the associations are unclear, however areas of interest for future research include the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of coffee, and the known association between coffee consumption and type 2 diabetes risk reduction as CVD mortality is typically higher in this group.  It is important to note that results differ between varying populations; it is suggested that 2 cups of coffee per day may offer the greatest protection in a Japanese population, whilst 3 cups may provide the greatest protection in UK and US populations.

For more information on coffee and cardiovascular health, click here

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How coffee might improve sports performance. Find out more here!


Sports Performance and Coffee

Sports Performance and Coffee

From enhancing endurance to aiding quick recovery, caffeine can play a role in improving sports performance, as explained by experts in the field of sports science and nutrition during a roundtable on coffee, caffeine and sports performance held by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee.



Professor Greg Whyte OBE, a former Olympian and Professor in Applied Sport & Exercise Science at Liverpool John Moores University, UK, Dr Javier Gonzalez, a lecturer in Human and Applied Physiology at the University of Bath, UK, and Dr Sophie Killer, a performance nutritionist at British Athletics came together to present a wide variety of research which covered all aspects of coffee, caffeine and sports performance from fluid balance and intake levels, to what is currently understood about caffeine’s mechanisms.

Key highlights from the roundtable include:

• Caffeine is most effective during endurance sports (e.g. running, cycling, rowing) lasting more than five minutes
• Caffeine can improve short term high-intensity performance
• Caffeine has been shown to reduce muscle pain during endurance exercise, reduce muscle soreness after strength exercises, and assist in the recovery process
• Coffee can contribute to fluid balance and the suggestion that caffeinated beverages should be avoid prior to and during exercise is unfounded

Professor Greg Whyte commented: “Caffeine has the potential to improve sports performance across the board from marathon runners to Saturday sports teams. Both elite and recreational athletes are physiologically similar meaning relatively low doses can have an effect, including improved endurance and high-intensity performance, and muscle pain relief.”

It is widely accepted that any effect of coffee consumption on sports performance is linked to the caffeine in coffee. Although caffeine has been suggested to cause dehydration, research has concluded that moderate consumption of 3-5 cups of caffeinated coffee per day contributes to overall fluid balance and does not cause dehydration.

Research into caffeine’s mechanisms has shown that endurance performance is improved through its role as an adenosine antagonist, leading to an increased production of adrenaline, which stimulates blood flow and increases a feeling of being energised. Caffeine may also reduce the perception of pain, through a role in the central nervous system, further enhancing endurance during sporting activities.

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A cup of coffee each may reduce number of falls in older people says “Rotterdam Report”. But is this true for people with a medical condition?


Coffee and gait

Coffee and gait

gaitAs many of you know I have been studying healthcare , as a researcher, for nearly ten years.

Mainly I look at the ignored of hidden problems which impact people with various different conditions such a multiple sclerosis and fibromyalgia.

So I was very interested in a report which dropped into my in-box a couple of days ago.

According to the “European Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that consuming more than one cup of coffee per day is associated with better gait – an important health indicator that relates to the risk of falling, morbidity and mortality, and is influenced by the nervous and cardiovascular systems, as well as musculoskeletal structure.

This research which was conducted at the Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Centre in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, investigated associations of alcohol, coffee and tobacco consumption with gait, using 2546 participants from The Rotterdam Study with a median age of 68 years.”


Co-author Dr. Arfan Ikram said “Until now, research into the impact of coffee consumption on gait has looked at specific groups and has therefore not provided information on the associations of overall coffee consumption with gait. With this study, we wanted to explore the associations of coffee consumption on gait to assess the beneficial, or detrimental, effects of coffee on general health.”

It seems that 1 in 3 people over 65 have a serious fall, mostly in their home. The impact of falls can result in injuries such as hip fractures and head trauma and often begin the end of independent living for many.

The study used a large population-based sample of non-demented participants with a average age of 68 years and includes all patients who underwent gait assessments between March 2009 and March 2012.

Coffee consumption was assessed as part of a food frequency questionnaire. The results showed that consuming more than one cup of coffee daily was associated with better gait when compared to drinking one or less cups of coffee. Consuming one to three cups of coffee daily was associated with higher Pace (or length of stride) and consuming more than three cups daily with better variability in stride length, pace and turning time compared with consuming one or less than one cup of coffee. Such effects may have important implications on the risk of falling in older populations.

To read the study abstract, click here.

Well so far so good. My interest is how does this apply to you especially if you have a condition such as multiple sclerosis does drinking coffee have any effect.

It would be great if you could share in the comments section below.

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Anxiety and Coffee – is there a relationship?


Coffee and Anxiety

Coffee and Anxiety

A very old friend of mine from university had to give up coffee when he was in his mid twenties. Much to his disgust, I might add, as he loved the stuff.

The reason he explained to me over a cup of green tea that a couple of cups of coffee would first make him anxious , then bad tempered and finally what he called a “brown study”. Nothing to worry about (he did mention it to his doctor at his next wish and was told that he was indeed correct).

The conversation came back to me this afternoon as I read a very interesting report from the The Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee on the relationship between coffee and anxiety. They define anxiety as “a feeling of nervousness, dread, apprehension, and worry. Mild anxiety is vague and unsettling, while severe anxiety can be extremely debilitating and considered a disorder”.

They say “… the body of scientific evidence to date suggests that caffeine may be associated with an increase in anxiety at moderate levels of intake (150mg caffeine – approximately two cups of coffee) in individuals who are predisposed to this effect, and that symptoms of anxiety are less likely to be seen at lower levels of caffeine intake. It is thought that the adenosine receptor system, which mediates the psychoactive effects of caffeine, is involved in the regulation of anxiety, although the precise mechanism is unknown at present”



In the report they point out that “caffeine seems to have no effect on anxiety in some individuals whilst in others, particularly at moderate (150mg caffeine) levels of intake, caffeine may increase anxiety” and “in high and low anxiety sensitive individuals, similar alertness and symptom reports were shown following caffeine ingestion. Respiratory symptoms were more marked when caffeine was expected and administered in the low anxiety sensitive group and when caffeine was unexpectedly administered in the high anxiety sensitive group”

They conclude “research suggests that there may be a genetic component to this sensitivity, explaining why only some individuals appear to experience an effect, however further research is required to confirm these effects.3 It is worth noting that with frequent consumption, substantial tolerance develops to the anxiety-inducing effect of caffeine, even in genetically susceptible individuals, and therefore the association does not tend to affect levels of coffee consumption”.

Which all seems pretty reasonable to me. What do you think? What impact does coffee have upon you? Please share in the comments section below.

Thanks in advance.

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How much coffee do you drink each day? Is your coffee consumption at a safe level?


Do you drink too much coffee?

Do you drink too much coffee?

I dont know if you say in the newspapers (or radio, or TV ,or the internet) that new research has been published about safe levels of coffee drinking.

Now I’m a fan so everytime I read of this new research a shiver of fear goes up my spine.

But according ISIC The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published its final Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine.

The research concludes that single doses of caffeine up to 200mg and daily intakes of up to 400mg do not raise safety concerns for adults. This conclusion does not represent a recommended upper limit for caffeine consumption; it confirms that moderate caffeine consumption, of around 400 mg caffeine or the equivalent of up to 5 cups of coffee per day, can be enjoyed as part of a healthy balanced diet and an active lifestyle.

Other findings include:

• Single doses of caffeine up to 200mg are considered safe for adults (18-65 years) also when consumed less than two hours before intense exercise.

• For pregnant women, caffeine intakes of up to 200mg a day are considered safe for the foetus.


• Daily intakes of up to 200mg consumed by lactating women in the general population are considered safe for the breastfed infant.

• Single doses of 100mg may increase sleep latency (the amount of time it takes to fall asleep) and shorten sleeping time in some adults, particularly when consumed close to bedtime.

So how much coffee do you drink a day. I’ll admit I’m on around seven cups a day. Most before breakfast. How about you?

Please take the poll below to let us know how much coffee you drink each day.


According to ISIC scientific research also suggests that moderate lifelong coffee consumption may reduce the risk of neurodegenerative conditions (such as age-related cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s Disease and Parkinson’s Disease), type 2 diabetes and a range of liver diseases (such as liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, fatty liver disease and Hepatitis-C).