Having coffee in the morning may offer greater health advantages compared to consuming several cups throughout the day.
A recent study suggests that it may be more beneficial for you to enjoy coffee in the morning instead of throughout the day.
A team of researchers investigated over 40,000 adults in the United States who were involved in extensive studies focused on health, nutrition, and lifestyle choices.
Researchers identified two separate coffee consumption patterns: individuals who enjoy coffee in the morning and those who sip it throughout the entire day.
In general, the research indicated that individuals who consumed coffee solely in the morning had a lower risk of mortality compared to those who did not drink coffee at all and those who drank it throughout the day.
Details of a study on coffee consumption
Over one-third (36%) of the participants in the study were classified as morning coffee drinkers, while approximately 14% were identified as all-day coffee drinkers.
The research group, headed by specialists from Tulane University in the United States, monitored participants in the study for nearly ten years.
Throughout the follow-up duration, approximately 4,295 participants in the study passed away.
Considering multiple factors, the researchers discovered that individuals who consumed coffee in the morning had a 16% lower likelihood of mortality compared to those who abstained from coffee altogether.
They had a 31% lower risk of dying from heart disease.
All-day coffee drinkers showed no decrease in risk when compared to individuals who abstained from coffee entirely.
The researchers indicated that consuming larger quantities of coffee was "significantly" linked to a reduced risk of mortality, but this was only true for individuals who had their coffee in the morning, as opposed to those who sipped it throughout the day.
Insights from specialists regarding the study.
In the European Heart Journal, they stated, “Consuming coffee in the morning could be linked to a significantly reduced risk of mortality compared to drinking coffee later in the day.”
Dr. Lu Qi, the lead author from Tulane University in Louisiana, stated: “Current research indicates that coffee consumption does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and may actually reduce the likelihood of certain chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes.”
"Considering the influence of caffeine on our physiology, we aimed to investigate whether the timing of coffee consumption could affect cardiovascular health."
He remarked, “This is the inaugural research examining the relationship between coffee consumption timing and health effects.”
“Our research suggests that the significance of coffee consumption goes beyond just the quantity or frequency; it also heavily relies on the timing of when you drink it. While we usually don't emphasize timing in our dietary recommendations, it might be worth considering this aspect in future guidelines.”
"This research does not explain why consuming coffee in the morning lowers the likelihood of dying from cardiovascular disease."
“One potential reason could be that drinking coffee later in the day might interfere with circadian rhythms and hormone levels, particularly melatonin. This disruption could then result in alterations to cardiovascular risk factors, including increased inflammation and elevated blood pressure.”
"Additional research is required to confirm our results in diverse populations, and clinical trials are necessary to explore the possible effects of altering the timing of coffee consumption."
In a related editorial, Professor Thomas Luuscher of the Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals in London noted that “numerous individuals who drink throughout the day experience issues with their sleep.”
He stated: “In summary, we should acknowledge the considerable evidence suggesting that consuming coffee, especially in the morning, is probably beneficial for health. Therefore, enjoy your coffee, but make sure to have it in the morning!”
