A large new study has found that moderate consumption of unsweetened coffee is associated with a significantly lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. The research, published in the European Journal of Nutrition, analyzed data from over 167,000 participants in the UK Biobank and concluded that the protective association did not extend to coffee consumed with sweeteners.
Researchers tracked participants without pre-existing cardiovascular disease for a median of 11.1 years. The findings showed a U-shaped correlation for unsweetened coffee drinkers. Those consuming more than two and up to three units daily had a 19% lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease compared to non-consumers. The risk reduction was 14% for those drinking more than three and up to five units, while no statistically significant benefit was observed for consumption beyond five units per day.
In contrast, the study found no protective association against cardiovascular disease at any intake level for sweetened coffee. This distinction highlights the importance of considering additives when evaluating coffee's health effects. The results align with a growing body of research and recent statements from organizations like the American Heart Association, reinforcing the message that moderate, unsweetened coffee consumption can be part of a heart-healthy lifestyle.