If you love your cup or cups of java, you will be happy to learn about the results of a recent study. The study, which was published in the journal Heart, shows those who drink an average of 3-5 cups of coffee per day could have a significant decreased risk of atherosclerosis, plaque build-up in the arteries and lower risk of heart attacks.
Coffee contains more than 1,000 chemicals, including antioxidants that may be contributing to health benefits. Part of the benefit seems to stem from coffee’s ability to improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control which, in turn, reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes, a strong risk factor for clogged arteries.
The research examined more than 25,000 Korean men and women average age of 41 with no symptoms of heart disease and were categorized as people who drank none, less than one cup a day, three to five cups per day and five or more per day.
During a yearly health exam, the participants were asked about what they ate and drank. They all had CT scans to determine how much calcium had built up in their heart arteries. The researchers then compared the calcium build-up with how much coffee participants drank.
Researchers determined that the presence of coronary artery calcium (CAC) - an early indicator of hardening of the arteries, (atherosclerosis) and heart disease- was lowest among the group that drank between three and five cups. It was also determined that people do not have to drink large amounts of coffee to see positive results. Those who drank 1-3 cups per day had less calcium present compared to their non-coffee drinking counterparts. Researchers also found that as coffee consumption rose, the amount of calcium build-up declined especially in those who drank three to five cups a day having the least amount of calcium build-up.
Although the study was done on people in South Korea, Dr. Eliseo Guallar, professor and co-author of the study from the department of epidemiology and medicine at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, expects the findings would be similar for American coffee drinkers. While the study cannot show a direct cause-and-effect relationship between coffee and reduced calcium in the arteries, the association between these factors is very strong.
If you are not a coffee drinker, researchers say that there is no reason to start since the greatest findings are in those who drink 3-5 cups per day. Also remember what you put in your coffee may not be advantageous to your health such as creamers, whipped cream and lots of sugar.
Bottom line: enjoy your "joe", it may better for you than you thought!
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