Researchers looking into the health risks associated with heavy coffee consumption found that drinking four or more cups a day is linked to an increased likelihood of all-cause mortality in both men and women.
Researchers defined heavy coffee consumers as anyone who drinks more than 28 cups of coffee a week, which averages out to four, eight-ounce cups a day. They said the vast amounts of caffeine can do damage to a person’s body in both the short- and long-term.
“Typically, people have been concerned that coffee could be unhealthy, particularly caffeine,” said Dr. Chip Lavie, one of the study authors. “If you give a massive acute dose of caffeine, you raise your pulse and blood pressure, and that can be toxic.”
The Study
For their study, researchers analyzed patient data from nearly 50,000 participants over an average period of 17 years. During the study there were 2,512 deaths, of which 32% resulted from cardiovascular disease.
After looking at the mortality data and reviewing patient consumption habits, researchers noted:
- Men who drank more than 28 cups of coffee a week had a 21% increased risk of all-cause mortality. The results in women were not statistically significant.
- The results were more pronounced among younger adults. Men younger than 55 years of age saw a 56% increased likelihood of death if they drank more than 28 cups of coffee a week, while women experienced a 113% increased likelihood if they were heavy consumers.
While researchers cautioned against overconsumption, Lavie said when the study was adjusted to account for the side effects of smoking (smoking and drinking coffee are two habits that go hand-in-hand), small to moderate coffee consumption really wasn’t that harmful. In fact, an appropriate amount of coffee may actually prevent some common health maladies like heart failure, diabetes and stroke.
Lavie said the key to addressing the problem of overconsumption is self-control.
“Honestly, for myself, I could easily go some days having a sixth cup of coffee, but this is leading me now to try to limit myself to the third, and maybe occasionally have the fourth,” said Lavie. “Most days now I’m sticking with two or three cups. And honestly, for most people, it’s a habit. There’s something to the first or second cup, but if you’re drinking it all day long it’s really just a habit. And if you have a signal for increased mortality, and you know about that, it might make people think or stop after the third cup.”
Lavie concluded that the research is not meant to be a scare tactic; instead he hopes people use it as an educational tool to better their health.
Dr. Silverman comments
Dr. Lavie’s comments remind me of a previous blog we did on how Dr. Pepper brought in a “taste optimizer” to find the bliss point of their product to keep people coming back for more. Whether it’s the rush of energy you feel from the caffeine, or simply the satisfying feeling you get when you crunch into a Kettle-cooked chip, companies set out to trigger all sorts of responses when you consume their product – emotional, psychological, physical, etc.
Coffee often triggers a physical response in people. They use the caffeine boost to get them through the day, and over time, people become dependent on the extra surge of energy.
Caffeine is similar to a lot of products in this world. As long as you use it in moderation, you should be fine. And when I say moderation, I don’t mean limit yourself to three venti lattes from Starbucks a day. A standard cup of coffee is 8 ounces, which means if you fill your 24-ounce travel mug up before you go to work, you’re carrying three cups of coffee with you. Always be mindful of your serving size, and remember; things like a healthy diet and eight hours of sleep each night can help you feel more alert and awake throughout your day.
Related sources: Medscape, Heartwire