A recent study from Tulane University suggests that the timing of coffee consumption plays a crucial role in determining its health benefits. Prior research has highlighted coffee's positive effects on metabolism, such as lowering glucose and adverse lipids. However, drinking large amounts of caffeine—at least five days a week—might increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Surprisingly, this new study indicates that drinking coffee in the morning could enhance its benefits while reducing risks associated with cardiovascular diseases.
The research involved a subgroup of 1,500 participants who documented their food and beverage consumption over a week. The findings suggest that those who consume coffee in the morning have a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to those who drink it throughout the day. This effect is particularly pronounced for moderate and heavy coffee drinkers, defined as those consuming two or more cups daily.
"Food eating and beverage drinking are key circadian time cues. While most nutrition studies focus on the quantity of dietary intakes, few investigate the circadian patterns of food/beverage intakes. Coffee affects sleeping and various circadian rhythm-related hormones such as melatonin, cortisol, and inflammation markers, which are relevant to heart health," said Lu Qi, MD, PhD.
The study found minimal risk benefits for light morning drinkers who consume one cup or less. The timing of coffee intake appears to influence its health benefits due to its impact on circadian rhythms. Late coffee consumption can disrupt sleep and other bodily rhythms, potentially negating the drink's positive effects.
"We’ve known for a while now about the health benefits of coffee drinking. This is the first indication that the timing of coffee drinking may have an impact on the actual health benefits, namely, that you get the health benefit only if you are a morning coffee drinker. It certainly throws a new perspective on how we may potentially recommend coffee drinking for its health benefits," observed Cheng-Han Chen, MD.
The research underscores the importance of considering not just how much coffee is consumed but when it is consumed. The lead author, Lu Qi, emphasized that morning coffee strengthens the beneficial effects on metabolism, while late-day consumption might minimize these advantages.
"Prior evidence has also shown the benefits of coffee drinking on metabolism including metabolic factors related to cardiovascular health such as lowering glucose and adverse lipids. Our study indicates that drinking coffee in the morning may strengthen such benefits," Qi added.
Although the exact reasons why morning coffee is more beneficial remain unclear, Qi suggests that negative consequences of late-day coffee consumption could include disruptions to natural body rhythms and sleep disturbances.
"We don’t really understand why coffee drinking might be better in the morning," said Chen. "It actually may be that the health benefits of coffee are negated by the negative consequences of drinking coffee at other times of the day, such as the afternoon or evening."
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