Morning coffee reduces premature death by up to 31%, finds European study

Pesquisadores Europeans identified that the time of coffee consumption significantly influences protection against premature death. A study published in European Heart Journal analyzed 40,725 adults followed between 1999 and 2018 and found that drinking coffee exclusively in the morning reduces the risk of death from all causes by 16% and from cardiovascular disease by up to 31%. The survey recorded 4,295 deaths during approximately ten years of monitoring.

The research revealed a clear pattern: participants who consumed coffee only in the morning had greater protection than those who drank the drink throughout the day. Nenhuma similar advantage was observed in people who distributed consumption between morning, afternoon and evening. The results remained consistent even after adjusting for variables such as age, sex, sleep quality, physical activity, dietary pattern and pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

Metodologia and analysis period

Pesquisadores examined dietary information collected through national research over two decades. The coffee consumed included versions with and without caffeine, classified into three specific periods: morning (4 am to 11:59 am), afternoon (12 pm to 4:59 pm) and evening (5 pm to 3:59 am). The team identified two main consumption patterns among participants: morning-only intake and distribution throughout the day.

Learn more: Social inequality increases cancer deaths among the poor, reveals Unicamp research

Durante the follow-up period, researchers recorded:

• 4,295 deaths from all causes
• 1,268 deaths from cardiovascular diseases
• 934 deaths from cancer

Data were collected systematically and analyzed with statistical rigor, controlling multiple variables that could influence the results. The consistency of the findings even after these adjustments reinforces the robustness of the conclusions obtained.

Understand the case: Experts warn about the risks of daylight saving time and teach methods to regulate sleep

Quantidade consumed does not determine benefits

A surprising Resultado emerged from the analysis: the amount of coffee consumed in the morning does not alter the observed benefits. Pessoas who consumed less than one cup a day showed similar protection to those who drank more than three cups. Esse pattern demonstrates that timing of consumption overrides quantity as a protective factor against mortality.

The discovery challenges previous conceptions about the role of caffeine. Pesquisadores emphasized that the specific moment of ingestion was superior to any other habit evaluated in relation to the risk of death. The correlation remains valid regardless of the daily volume consumed by participants.

Mecanismos biologics explain protection

Pesquisadores suggest that drinking coffee in the afternoon or evening disrupts circadian rhythms and affects the production of melatonin, a hormone essential for sleep regulation. Reduced Níveis of this hormone is associated with increased blood pressure, elevated oxidative stress and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Pela In the morning, the body is in a different physiological state, allowing more efficient metabolism of caffeine without compromising the body’s natural processes.

More on this story: Time changes affect cardiovascular health and doctors recommend tactics to regulate sleep

Essa biological hypothesis offers plausible explanation for the differences observed between groups. Nighttime consumption interferes with the body’s self-regulation mechanisms, while morning intake aligns with the natural processes of wakefulness and metabolism. Research suggests that timing influences both the absorption and physiological effects of the drink.

Limitações and context of the finding

Research establishes correlation, not direct causation. Pesquisadores recognize that drinking coffee in the morning can be an indicator of a healthy lifestyle in general. Pessoas with this habit tend to practice regular physical activity, avoid ultra-processed foods more frequently and maintain disciplined routines. The team said they could not rule out the possibility that morning consumption reflects additional behavioral choices beneficial to health.

Previous Estudos have already associated moderate coffee intake with a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Este new work contributes with an element that has not yet been explored systematically: the specific time of consumption as an independent protective factor. Future Pesquisas should investigate whether this relationship holds across different populations and cultural contexts to validate the findings on a global scale.