Coffee Linked to Heart Inflammation

A number of studies have linked consumption of moderate to high amounts of coffee to heart disease. Now a new study has found coffee consumption increases levels of several inflammatory markers in the body. The findings of this study could help explain previous studies linking coffee consumption to heart disease.

The medical fraternity is unanimous in its belief that ongoing, low-level inflammation is a major underlying factor in the development of heart disease. Inflammation of the heart is known to cause undue stress on the organ and lead to heart attacks and other conditions.

Published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the findings of this latest research are based on a study of nearly 3000 subjects. Conducted by Dr. Demosthenes B. Panagiotakos from Harokopio University in Athens and colleagues, the study covered people who did not have any history of cardiovascular disease. The subjects were required to fill in a food-frequency questionnaire to assess their coffee intake.

Blood samples were collected from all subjects and tested for levels of various compounds known to be responsible for promoting inflammation or acting as markers for the same. Significantly high levels of all inflammatory markers tested were found in subjects who consumed more than a single cup of coffee a day. In comparison those who did not drink coffee remained on the safer side with inflammatory markers and inflammation. Even when the researchers took factors like age, gender, smoking, body weight, physical activity, and other potential confounders into consideration, the results held true.

The study is the first one to provide a mechanism by which coffee consumption possibly increases the risk for heart disease. According to the authors their study is unique because not all of the previous studies have identified the association between the two. They believe further studies are required to confirm their current findings.

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