Scientists discovered at what time of day coffee significantly extends life

A new study published in the European Heart Journal has found that people who prefer to drink coffee in the morning may have a lower risk of mortality, especially from cardiovascular diseases. This calls into question not only the amount of coffee consumed but also its timing as a factor affecting health.

Previous research has already pointed to the potential benefits of moderate coffee consumption, but scientists hypothesized that differences in consumption habits could explain discrepancies in findings. To test this hypothesis, they analyzed data from more than 40,000 adults collected during the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018.

Using cluster analysis, researchers identified two main groups: those who drank coffee mainly in the morning (from 4:00 to 12:00), and others who distributed their consumption throughout the day. Further analysis, including additional studies involving more than 1,400 healthcare workers, confirmed the identified patterns.

During the observation period, which lasted nearly 10 years, more than 4,200 participants died, about 1,270 of them from cardiovascular diseases, and 930 from cancer. Taking into account age, lifestyle, and other factors, scientists found that those who drank coffee predominantly in the morning had a 16% lower risk of death from all causes and a 31% lower risk of mortality from heart disease compared to those who did not drink coffee at all. Meanwhile, those who drank coffee throughout the day did not show a significant reduction in risk.

Researchers also noted that the more coffee a person drank in the morning, the greater the reduction in mortality risk. However, a similar relationship was not observed among those who drank coffee later in the day.

The mechanisms of this effect are not yet fully understood. One hypothesis is related to circadian rhythms: coffee consumed in the afternoon or evening may disrupt melatonin production, affecting sleep and heart health. Another possible reason is coffee's influence on inflammatory processes in the body, which are most active in the morning.

Despite the significance of these findings, scientists emphasize that the study was observational in nature, meaning it cannot prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Nevertheless, it adds new arguments in favor of the habit of starting the day with a cup of coffee.