Many use a daily shot of caffeine as a “heart-starter”, with scientists now confirming we can use the term more literally.
New Australian-led research has shown a cup of coffee each day can help people with an irregular heartbeat, known as atrial fibrillation (AF).
Professor Christopher X. Wong said the study showed a daily caffeine shot could protect against AF, which was a common heart condition that affected one in three people at some point in their lifetime and was a cause of heart failure, stroke and premature death.
Professor Wong said a randomised clinical trial was carried out on 200 AF patients from Australia, the United States and Canada.
He said half of the participants were required to consume at least one cup of coffee or espresso shot each day, while the other group had to abstain from coffee and caffeinated products all together.
“The results were astounding. In contrast to conventional wisdom, we found the coffee drinkers experienced a significant reduction in AF compared to those who avoided coffee and caffeine.
“This is surprising as it goes against the common assumption by doctors and patients that coffee worsens heart rhythm disorders such as AF.
“Doctors have always recommended patients with problematic AF minimise their coffee intake, but this trial suggests that coffee is not only safe but likely to be protective.”
Read the full study: Caffeinated Coffee Consumption or Abstinence to Reduce Atrial Fibrillation.
