Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Coffee Good for Health?

Coffee May Reduce Mortality in Women

Long-term consumption of coffee may reduce the mortality rate in women, according to a study in Annals of Internal Medicine.

Researchers looked at data from some 130,000 healthy women and men from two large cohorts — the Nurses' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study — who regularly answered dietary questionnaires.

After roughly 20 years' follow-up and adjustment for other risk factors, they found that higher coffee consumption in women was associated with a slightly lower risk for all-cause mortality — largely due to a reduced risk for cardiovascular death. The effect was observed with as few as five to seven cups per week and was independent of caffeine intake.

Men who drank more coffee also saw a benefit, but the association did not reach statistical significance.

The authors say that coffee's potential perks could be due to its effects on inflammation, endothelial function, and insulin sensitivity.

Annals of Internal Medicine article (Free abstract; full text requires subscription

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