Coffee and Health

N D Freedman et al, 2012, Association of coffee drinking with total and cause-specific mortality. The New England Journal of Medicine, Volume 366 (20).

ISIC — Thu, 17 May 2012 07:15:05 +0000

Background: Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages, but the association between coffee consumption and the risk of death remains unclear.
Methods: We examined the association of coffee drinking with subsequent total and cause specific mortality among 229,119 men and 173,141 women in the National Institutes of Health–AARP Diet and Health Study who were 50 to 71 years of age at baseline. Participants with cancer, heart disease, and stroke were excluded. Coffee consumption was assessed once at baseline.
Results: During 5,148,760 person-years of follow-up between 1995 and 2008, a total of 33,731 men and 18,784 women died. In age-adjusted models, the risk of death was increased among coffee drinkers. However, coffee drinkers were also more likely to smoke, and, after adjustment for tobacco-smoking status and other potential confounders, there was a significant inverse association between coffee consumption and mortality. Adjusted hazard ratios for death among men who drank coffee as compared with those who did not were as follows: 0.99 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95 to 1.04) for drinking less than 1 cup per day, 0.94 (95% CI, 0.90 to 0.99) for 1 cup, 0.90 (95% CI, 0.86 to 0.93) for 2 or 3 cups, 0.88 (95% CI, 0.84 to 0.93) for 4 or 5 cups, and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.85 to 0.96) for 6 or more cups of coffee per day (P<0.001 for trend); the respective hazard ratios among women were 1.01 (95% CI, 0.96 to 1.07), 0.95 (95% CI, 0.90 to 1.01), 0.87 (95% CI, 0.83 to 0.92), 0.84 (95% CI, 0.79 to 0.90), and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.78 to 0.93) (P<0.001 for trend). Inverse associations were observed for deaths due to heart disease, respiratory disease, stroke, injuries and accidents, diabetes, and infections, but not for deaths due to cancer. Results were similar in subgroups, including persons who had never smoked and persons who reported very good to excellent health at baseline.
Conclusions: In this large prospective study, coffee consumption was inversely associated with total and cause-specific mortality. Whether this was a causal or associational finding cannot be determined from our data. (Funded by the Intramural Research Program of the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics.)

M K Townsend et al, 2012, Caffeine intake and risk of urinary incontinence progression among women. Obstetrics & Gynnecology, Volume 119 (5).

ISIC — Tue, 01 May 2012 09:30:45 +0000

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association between long term caffeine intake and risk of urinary incontinence (UI) progression over 2 years among women with moderate UI.
METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study in 21,564 women with moderate UI enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study and Nurses’ Health Study II. Incontinence progression was identified from questionnaires during 2 years of follow-up. Baseline caffeine intake (ie, average intake during the previous year) and change in caffeine intake during the 4 years before baseline were measured using food frequency questionnaires. Odds ratios (ORs) for incontinence progression according to caffeine intake were calculated for each cohort separately, and then for both cohorts combined.
RESULTS: The percentage of women with UI progression was similar across categories of baseline level of caffeine intake and change in caffeine intake before baseline. For example, percentages were 21% compared with 22% comparing 450 mg or more to less than 150 mg of caffeine per day (adjusted OR 0.87, 95% confidence interval 0.70 –1.08). Comparing women with increased caffeine intake to those with stable caffeine intake, percentages with progression were 22% compared with 20% (OR 1.08, 95% confidence interval 0.95–1.22). Results were similar in separate analyses of urge and stress UI.
CONCLUSION: Long-term caffeine intake over 1 year was not associated with risk of UI progression over 2 years among women with moderate incontinence, although we could not examine acute effects of caffeine. Improved understanding of the effect of caffeine on the bladder is needed to better-advise women with incontinence about caffeine intake.

Topics now available as downloadable PDF files

Kristanne — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 08:32:40 +0000

The Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC) has created a downloadable PDF file for each topic on coffee & health, enabling visitors to the website to save and print the latest scientific information on coffee, or share it with colleagues.

Each topic is available to download from its summary page:

The inverse relationship between coffee consumption and type 2 diabetes does not depend on race, gender, geographic distribution or caffeine

Tom — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:23:55 +0000

Fausta Natella and Cristina Scaccini, from the Italian National Research Institute on Food and Nutrition, reviewed epidemiological studies, looking at the relationship between coffee consumption and risk of diabetes, published over the last 40 years. Collectively, they indicate a strong and clear inverse association between coffee consumption and risk of type 2 diabetes, independent of subjects’ race, gender, geographical location or the type of coffee they drink. Since both regular caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee consumption appears to be protective the effect is unlikely to be due to the caffeine. This review does sum up potential biomarkers, including proinflammatory cytokine (IL-18), C-reactive protein and adiponectin, though confirms that, as yet, no mechanisms of action have been elucidated.

The review also examines the impact of the pattern of coffee consumption e.g. black coffee after lunch, and evaluates the possible relationship between coffee consumption and other risk factors associated with diabetes, including insulin sensitivity and impaired glucose tolerance. It also explores the possible role of coffee on the progression of the disease, and whether it might also affect the risk of other forms of diabetes – type 1 and gestational diabetes.

Natella and Scaccini conclude: “The studies conducted so far provide a clear indication that healthy, habitual coffee drinkers are more protected from the risk of contracting diabetes than individuals who do not drink coffee. However, the influence of coffee consumption on diabetes should always be studied within the context of healthy eating habits and lifestyle. The best way to prevent diabetes remains to combat overweight and obesity, and ensure adequate levels of physical activity.”

For more information on coffee and type 2 diabetes, including practical resources for healthcare professionals, click here.

Reference

Natella F & Scaccini C (2012). Role of coffee in modulation of diabetes risk. Nutrition Reviews; 70(4):207-217.

Y Gutierrez-Grobe et al, 2012. High coffee intake is associated with lower grade nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: the role of peripheral antioxidant activity, Annals of Hepatology, Volume 11 (3).

ISIC — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 08:58:38 +0000

Background & aims. Some phytochemicals present in coffee have a potential antioxidant role which seems to protect the human body against cardiovascular diseases , liver disease and malignancies. Non alcoholic fatty liver disease is a common disease with limited therapeutic options. This study investigated the antioxidant effect of coffee by measuring antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation markers in patients with non alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Material and methods. We performed a case-control study at the University Hospital, Mexico City. Anthropometric, metabolic, dietary and biochemical variables of all patients were determined and compared. The presence of non alcoholic fatty liver disease was established by ultrasonography. All patients completed a dietary questionnaire in order to determine their coffee consumption. Catalase, superoxide dimutase and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were measured in all of the patients.
Results. Seventy three subjects with and 57 without nonalcoholic fatty liver disease were included. Patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease had significantly higher body mass index, blood glucose, homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance and insulin values in comparison to patients without nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. On the one hand , there was a significant difference in coffee intake between the groups (p < 0.05, for all comparisons). There was no significant difference between groups in catalase (0.39 ± 0.74 vs. 0.28 ± 0.69 nM/min/mL), superoxide dismutase (5.4 ± 3.45 vs. 4.7 ± 2.1 U/mL) or thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (4.05 ± 1.87 vs. 3.94 ± 1.59IJM/ ml).
Conclusions. A high intake of coffee has a protective effect against nonalcoholic fatty Liver disease however there was no significant difference in the antioxidant variables analyzed.

Coffee & Health unveils its latest topic: Mental Performance

Kristanne — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 10:30:32 +0000

The Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC) has extended the scientific information available on its Coffee & Health website, with Mental Performance the latest topic to be introduced. Based on the latest research, the new information provides a review of the scientific evidence on the relationship between coffee drinking and mental performance – including attention and alertness.

Moderate consumption of coffee appears to help improve alertness and concentration.

In particular, key highlights include:

There is convincing evidence that moderate caffeine intake helps to improve alertness and concentration. A 75mg serving of caffeine – the amount found in approximately one regular cup of coffee – leads to both increased attention and alertness, according to opinion by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
Brain mapping technology indicates that caffeine is not linked to the brain circuit of dependence and therefore does not fulfil the criteria to be described as a drug of dependence
Although abrupt cessation of caffeine consumption may induce withdrawal symptoms in a subset of the population, these are not generally very severe, are of short duration, and can be avoided by progressive reduction of caffeine intake
Some studies suggest that caffeine abstinence could improve sleep – both the time it takes to fall asleep and sleep quality, further studies are warranted before any firm conclusions can be drawn
There is some evidence to suggest potential benefits of coffee and caffeine in situations which require increased alertness e.g. night shifts and jet lag

Mental performance, the latest scientific topic to be added to Coffee & Health, sits alongside cardiovascular health, fluid balance, gallstones, liver function, pregnancy, sports performance, type 2 diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.

For more information on the relationship between coffee drinking and mental performance, click here.

Ina S Santos et al, 2012. Maternal caffeine consumption and infant nighttime waking: prospective cohort study, Pediatrics, Volume 129 (5).

ISIC — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 09:23:22 +0000

OBJECTIVE: Coffee and other caffeinated beverages are commonly consumed in pregnancy. In adults, caffeine may interfere with sleep onset and have a dose-response effect similar to those seen during insomnia. In infancy, nighttime waking is a common event. With this study, we aimed to investigate if maternal caffeine consumption during pregnancy and lactation leads to frequent nocturnal awakening among infants at 3 months of age.
METHODS: All children born in the city of Pelotas, Brazil, during 2004 were enrolled on a cohort study. Mothers were interviewed at delivery and after 3 months to obtain information on caffeine drinking consumption, sociodemographic, reproductive, and behavioral characteristics. Infant sleeping pattern in the previous 15 days was obtained from a subsample. Night waking was defined as an episode of infant arousal that woke the parents during nighttime. Multivariable analysis was performed by using Poisson regression.
RESULTS: The subsample included 885 of the 4231 infants born in 2004. All but 1 mother consumed caffeine in pregnancy. Nearly 20% were heavy consumers (>300 mg/day) during pregnancy and 14.3% at 3 months postpartum. Prevalence of frequent nighttime awakeners (>3 episodes per night) was 13.8% (95% confidence interval: 11.5%– 16.0%). The highest prevalence ratio was observed among breastfed infants from mothers consuming >300 mg/day during the whole pregnancy and in the postpartum period (1.65; 95% confidence interval: 0.86–3.17) but at a nonsignificant level.
CONCLUSIONS: Caffeine consumption during pregnancy and by nursing mothers seems not to have consequences on sleep of infants at the age of 3 months.

F Natella and C Scaccini, 2012. Role of coffee in modulation of diabetes risk, Nutrition Reviews, Volume 70.

ISIC — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:13:59 +0000

Coffee consumption has been associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. This association does not depend on race, gender, geographic distribution of the study populations, or the type of coffee consumed (i.e., caffeinated or decaffeinated). This review discusses the strength of this relationship, examines the possibility that thepattern of coffee consumption could influence the association, and evaluates thepossible relationship between coffee consumption and other risk factors associatedwith diabetes. Particular attention is paid to the identification, on the basis of thescientific evidence, of the possible mechanisms by which coffee components might affect diabetes development, especially in light of the paradoxical effect of caffeineon glucose metabolism. In addition to the role of coffee in reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the possible role of coffee in the course of the illness isexplored. Finally, the possibility that coffee can also affect the risk of other forms of diabetes (e.g., type 1 diabetes and gestational diabetes) is examined.

S K Bohn et al, 2012. Effects of tea and coffee on cardiovascular disease risk, Food Function, published online ahead of print.

ISIC — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 09:06:44 +0000

Tea and coffee have been associated with risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), both positively and negatively. Epidemiological data suggest that black and green tea may reduce the risk of both coronary heart disease and stroke by between 10 and 20%. Experimental and clinical trial data generally indicate either neutral or beneficial effects on risk factors and pathways linked to the development of CVD. Controversy still exists regarding the effects of coffee, where there have been concerns regarding associations with hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension and myocardial infarction. However, long term moderate intake of coffee is not associated with detrimental effects in healthy individuals and may even protect against the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The detrimental effects of coffee may be associated with the acute pressor effects, most likely due to caffeine at high daily intakes, and lipids from boiled coffee can contribute to raised serum cholesterol. Genetic polymorphisms in enzymes involved in uptake, metabolism and excretion of tea and coffee compounds are also associated with differential biological effects. Potential mechanisms by which tea and coffee phytochemicals can exert effects for CVD protection include the regulation of vascular tone through effects on endothelial function, improved glucose metabolism, increased reverse cholesterol transport and inhibition of foam cell formation, inhibition of oxidative stress, immunomodulation and effects on platelet function (adhesion and activation, aggregation and clotting). The phytochemical compounds in tea and coffee and their metabolites are suggested to influence protective endogenous pathways by modulation of gene-expression. It is not known exactly which compounds are responsible for the suggestive protective effects of tea and coffee. Although many biologically active compounds have been identified with known biological effects, tea and coffee contain many unidentified compounds with potential bioactivity.

No association between coffee drinking and ovarian cancer confirmed in European women

Tom — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 11:00:40 +0000

The largest prospective study¹ to date investigating the relationship between coffee and tea consumption and ovarian cancer risk, on 330,849 European women followed up for nearly 12 years, finds no link between women’s coffee or tea consumption and risk of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), and these findings were supported with the results of an updated meta-analysis by the same authors. This work was part of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition Study (EPIC*).

In the EPIC study, women completed country-specific food-frequency questionnaires, and recorded the number of cups of coffee and tea they consumed per day, week or month, among other things. The authors calculated the total amount of coffee and tea drank per day (mL/day), taking into account cup sizes which vary widely by region. To account for the large variation in quantities consumed and beverage concentration between European countries, country-specific quintiles for coffee and tea, and tertiles for caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, were calculated for each beverage.

The researchers found that coffee consumption – either regular or decaffeinated – was not associated with risk of EOC, when they compared cancer risk in women with the highest coffee consumption versus non-coffee drinkers. Similarly, tea consumption was not linked to EOC risk.

In addition, the authors conducted a meta-analysis of all prospective reports until 2011, published after the previous meta-analysis in 2007 and EPIC data. Once again, there was no significant association between the consumption of coffee or tea and risk of EOC. An increment of one cup of coffee, or tea, per day was not associated with an increased risk of EOC.

The authors conclude: “The results of both our study and meta-analysis imply that there is no evidence for an association between the consumption of coffee and risk of ovarian cancer. This is consistent with the conclusion of the World Cancer Research Fund in 2007.”

For more information on this topic, please visit http://www.coffeeandhealth.org/topics/cancer/.

*The EPIC study is a multicentre prospective cohort study in 10 European countries, looking at the associations between diet, lifestyle and genetic and environmental factors and chronic disease risk.

Reference

1. Braem MGM et al (2012). Coffee and tea consumption and the risk of ovarian cancer: a prospective cohort study and updated meta-analysis. Am J Clin Nutr; doi: 10.3945/ajcn.111.026393