Major points:
- Two scientific studies conducted by the Neatic team examined whether coffee consumption is linked to mortality risk and dementia risk in over 350,000 people.
- The lowest mortality risk was observed with 2 cups of coffee per day, and non-coffee drinkers had a slightly increased risk. However, no connection was found between coffee consumption and dementia risk.
- These findings support Neatic’s approach of not giving specific recommendations about coffee. Any potential life-extending effects of coffee are minimal and should not encourage anyone to start drinking coffee solely for this reason.
What do we know about coffee?
Coffee consumption is often measured in cups per day. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) has no objections to drinking up to 4 cups of coffee per day for adults. Similarly, U.S. guidelines refer to moderate coffee consumption as drinking 3 to 5 cups per day.
Coffee contains several compounds that are considered beneficial for health, such as polyphenols, which are secondary plant substances that may have positive effects on the cardiovascular system and may protect against some types of cancer. Additionally, coffee contains vitamins like riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, and pyridoxine, as well as minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Coffee is also valued for its “energizing” effect, mainly attributed to caffeine.
Several studies suggest that moderate coffee consumption may be linked to a lower risk of various diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and liver tumors. However, professional organizations do not recommend starting or increasing coffee consumption for potential health benefits.
What do the studies examine?
One study conducted by the Neatic team focused on dementia, a progressive and incurable disease characterized by the deterioration of various cognitive functions such as short-term memory, thinking ability, language, motor skills, and personality. Nutritional factors are being investigated with the question of whether they can prevent or at least slow down the development of dementia.
The first study looked at the link between coffee consumption and mortality, while the second focused on the connection between coffee and the development of dementia. The data from over 350,000 participants from the UK Biobank study were analyzed. At the time of evaluation, more than 20,000 participants had passed away, and over 4,000 had developed dementia. Other factors like age, sex, income, and education were also considered.
What did the studies find?
Coffee consumption showed only a weak connection with mortality risk. Statistically, the lowest risk of death was observed with 2 cups of coffee per day. Compared to this, non-coffee drinkers had a slightly higher mortality risk. Consuming more than 2 cups per day had no noticeable impact on mortality risk.
The study also examined whether coffee consumption was linked to specific causes of death. It was found that coffee drinking was not associated with the risk of dying from cancer. However, the risk of death from non-cancer causes (such as heart failure or pneumonia) was slightly higher among non-coffee drinkers.
No link between coffee consumption and dementia risk was observed.
What are the conclusions of the studies?
Both studies support Neatic’s approach of not making specific recommendations about coffee consumption. The findings also align with the statements of various professional organizations that moderate coffee consumption is not associated with harmful effects. Any potential life-extending effects of coffee are so minimal that nobody should start drinking coffee for this reason alone. However, if you enjoy coffee, there is no reason to stop, unless specific circumstances such as pregnancy or breastfeeding apply.
Bibliography:
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung e.V. (2018): Wasser trinken – fit bleiben. Available online at https://www.dge-medienservice.de/media/productattach/File-1523011430.pdf, last checked 16.12.2023.
Schaefer, Sylva M.; Kaiser, Anna; Behrendt, Inken et al. (2022a): Association of alcohol types, coffee and tea intake with mortality: prospective cohort study of UK Biobank participants. In: The British journal of nutrition 129 (1), S. 1–11. DOI: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35109963/
Schaefer, Sylva Mareike; Kaiser, Anna; Behrendt, Inken et al. (2022b): Association of Alcohol Types, Coffee, and Tea Intake with Risk of Dementia: Prospective Cohort Study of UK Biobank Participants. In: Brain sciences 12 (3). DOI: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35326316/
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture (2015): 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Available online at https://health.gov/sites/default/files/2019-09/2015-2020_Dietary_Guidelines.pdf.