Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee

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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.

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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.

Leave a comment Posted on Diabetes, Patient Talk

World Diabetes Day – Coffee may reduce risk of type 2 diabetes say scientists #wdd


Coffee and diabetes

Coffee and diabetes

Okay may I put my hand up and confess I love coffee so I’m always happy to repeat what I see as good news.

Indeed I covered various health benefits of coffee and caffeine in the past.

Given that today is World Diabetes Day I should not have been too surprised that I would get press releases telling me useful things about diabetes that I really did not want to know.

However I am delighted to share an exception with you my readers.

The Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee informs me that moderate consumption of coffee may decrease an individual’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Indeed drinking three to four cups will reduce the risk by 25%.

They have just published a report which suggest that decaffeinated coffee provided better protection than its colleague with caffeine. Filtered is better for diabetes than boiled. So it is something else in the coffee which helps rather than caffeine.

Which leads me to the conclusion that I should drop round and visit the espresso machine in the kitchen!