Coffee Consumption and Mortality: New Research Challenges Previous Findings

Min et al. conducted a study investigating the association between coffee consumption and the risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Using data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study, involving 173,229 participants aged 40 to 79 years old, they followed them for an average of 10.3 years, during which 9,361 deaths occurred.

The study revealed that higher coffee consumption was linked to a lower risk of all-cause mortality, as well as mortality from cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, and respiratory disease. Specifically, compared to non-coffee drinkers, those consuming 1-2 cups per day had a 10% lower risk of all-cause mortality, and those consuming 3-5 cups per day experienced a 12% lower risk. The risk reduction for cardiovascular disease mortality was even more pronounced, with a 19% lower risk for those drinking 3-5 cups per day.

These findings contradict previous studies suggesting coffee consumption may increase the risk of mortality. For instance, a 2018 study by Guallar et al. found higher coffee consumption associated with a higher risk of all-cause mortality in individuals aged 45 years and older. Similarly, a 2015 study by Ding et al. linked higher coffee consumption to a higher risk of mortality from all causes except cancer.

However, several potential explanations exist for these conflicting findings. One possibility is that previous studies didn't fully account for confounding factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, and diet. Another possibility is that the effects of coffee consumption on mortality may vary depending on the population studied and the specific health outcomes examined.

Overall, the study by Min et al. provides evidence that moderate coffee consumption may have health benefits and reduce the risk of mortality. However, further research is necessary to confirm these findings and determine the optimal amount and frequency of coffee consumption for health benefits.