Some coffee a day keeps a stroke away – Hungarian scientists say

The study conducted by the Semmelweis University of Budapest is one of the largest ever to investigate the never-ending debate: Is coffee good or bad for your health?

How do you start your day? Is coffee the first thing you have right after getting out of bed, or do you usually eat something before? Do you drink the amazing-smelling black drink at home or in the office? (In the case of a covid-free life, if it will ever be possible.) Do you drink coffee at all, or do you belong to that group of people who think it is actually not as healthy as many coffee addicts claim it to be? 

Countless studies were written in the past about the possible health benefits of coffee. It seems as if, finally, we can put an end to the long-lasting debate. The bitter drink, in fact, has an undeniable health benefit:

a cup of coffee a day can reduce the risk of a stroke by a fifth.

11 must visit coffee shops in Budapest 

Researchers of the Semmelweis University of Budapest worked on one of the largest ever studies to research the question. They examined data provided by the UK Biobank, coming from almost half a million Britons. They drink coffee moderately, anywhere between half a cup to three cups a day.

The study showed that these people are 21% less likely to have a stroke than those who avoid the boosting drink. 

This percentage refers to all the people who provided data, without specifying who drinks how much. If we wish to dive deeper into the results, we can say that

those who drink at least one cup of coffee a day are 12% less likely to die from any cause while 17% of them are less likely to die specifically from cardiovascular disease. 

To give the most reliable results, scientists made certain that the only measured factor would be coffee, so they mixed up variables such as sex, age, weight, diet, and pre-existing health conditions. 

“Our results suggest that regular coffee consumption is safe as even high daily intake was not associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes and all-cause mortality after a follow-up of 10 to 15 years,” said Dr Judit Simon, the author of the study.

When the research was presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2021, scientists even used MRI scans to try to find out what it is about coffee exactly that influences and improves long-term health.
Overall,

the scans showed that regular coffee drinkers had healthier sized and better functioning hearts,

as opposed to those who prefer to avoid the drink or only occasionally consume it. 

The Telegraph summarised the study results by writing that

the consumption of coffee anywhere between half a cup a day up to three cups is associated with favourable cardiovascular outcomes. 

“While further studies are needed to explain the underlying mechanisms, the observed benefits might be partly explained by positive alterations in cardiac structure and function,” concludes Dr Simon. 

Read alsoHungarian paprika-spiced coffee to become the new trend?

Source: Telegraph, escardio.org