Scientists Claim Coffee Consumption Timing May Affect Lifespan

Interesting correlation based on large-scale studies.

A new study published in the European Heart Journal showed that people who primarily drink coffee in the morning may have a lower risk of death, particularly from heart disease, compared to those who drink coffee throughout the day or do not drink it at all.

The results confirm that not only the amount of coffee consumed but also the timing of its consumption can influence long-term health outcomes.

Some previous studies indicated that moderate consumption of the beverage is generally associated with health benefits, while exceeding certain limits may lead to problems. Researchers suspected that differences in coffee consumption habits could explain the discrepancies.

To explore this idea, scientists analyzed data from over 40,000 adults collected during the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018. Participants were asked to record everything they ate and drank over a 24-hour period, including the timing of coffee consumption.

Using a statistical method called cluster analysis, patterns in coffee consumption habits were identified. Two distinct groups emerged: those who primarily drank coffee in the morning (from 4 AM to noon) and those who spread their consumption throughout the day.

To ensure comprehensive data, two additional studies tracking the dietary habits of over 1,400 healthcare professionals with more detailed dietary records were analyzed. These external studies showed similar trends in coffee consumption timing, which helped enhance the reliability of the results.

After sorting participants by different coffee consumption patterns, researchers tracked health outcomes for nearly a decade. During this time, over 4,200 participants died. Of these deaths, about 1,270 were from cardiovascular diseases, and around 930 were from cancer. Researchers examined whether coffee consumption patterns were linked to various mortality risks, considering other factors that could influence health: age, race, smoking, diet, physical activity, sleep habits, and overall coffee consumption.

Scientists found a clear correlation: people who primarily drank coffee in the morning had a significantly lower risk of death from any cause compared to those who did not drink coffee at all. Specifically, morning coffee enthusiasts had a 16% lower chance of dying during the study period. The reduction in risk was even greater for deaths related to heart disease—31% lower than in non-coffee drinkers. Those who drank coffee throughout the day did not experience a statistically significant reduction in risk.

Importantly, the study also showed benefits associated with consuming more coffee in the morning. This habit was linked to progressively lower mortality risk. For individuals who drank coffee throughout the day, the number of conditional cups consumed did not have a clear connection to such risk.

The reasons for these results are not fully understood. Researchers proposed several possible explanations. One is related to the body's natural sleep-wake cycle. Consuming coffee during the day or evening may disrupt the circadian rhythm, reducing melatonin production, a hormone that helps regulate sleep and nighttime bodily functions. Disrupted circadian rhythms are associated with higher blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease.

Another possible explanation is that coffee contains compounds that may reduce inflammation in the body. Some inflammatory markers naturally peak in the morning. Consuming coffee at this time may have a stronger impact than consuming it later in the day.

Despite the clear conclusions about the benefits of morning coffee, scientists acknowledged that establishing a causal relationship is not possible. The study was observational, and thus, errors or inaccuracies in participants' responses cannot be ruled out.