Scientists discover another health benefit of coffee

Tengrinews.kz – Drinking coffee may reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) — a common heart rhythm disorder that causes rapid and irregular heartbeat and can lead to stroke or heart failure. This conclusion was reached by scientists from the University of California, San Francisco, and the University of Adelaide. The results were published in the journal JAMA, according to Gazeta.Ru.

Previously, doctors recommended limiting caffeine for patients with heart conditions due to the risk of worsening arrhythmia symptoms. However, the new study showed the opposite: drinking one cup of coffee a day reduces the likelihood of developing atrial fibrillation by 39 percent.

The study involved 200 people with a persistent form of AF or atrial flutter — conditions in which the atria can beat at 200–400 beats per minute.

Participants were scheduled for electrical cardioversion, a procedure to restore normal heart rhythm. They were divided into two groups:

• one group drank at least one cup of coffee daily,
• the other completely eliminated caffeine from their diet for six months.

The results showed that those who consumed coffee had a significantly lower risk of recurrent arrhythmia. Researchers suggest that coffee may have an anti-inflammatory effect and may also “displace” sugary, alcoholic, and energy drinks from the diet, reducing overall strain on the heart.