Prolonged sitting, whether at a desk or on a couch, has been linked to numerous health risks. However, recent research suggests that regular coffee consumption could mitigate some of these negative effects.
A study of over 10,000 U.S. participants, published in BMC Public Health, found that daily coffee drinkers are 1.58 times less likely to die from any cause within 13 years compared to non-coffee drinkers who sit for extended periods. This groundbreaking study by Soochow University in China is the first to examine how coffee may counteract the increased risk of death associated with prolonged sitting.
Researchers analyzed long-term U.S. health data and discovered that coffee consumption neutralizes the link between a sedentary lifestyle and mortality from cardiovascular disease and all causes. The study challenges previous findings suggesting that regular exercise alone may not fully protect against the health risks of extended sitting, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
Notably, participants who sat for more than eight hours a day faced higher mortality risks, but this was only evident in non-coffee drinkers. Coffee drinkers, regardless of intake, showed reduced risks. Those consuming more than 2.5 cups daily had the lowest mortality risk.
While the study does not fully explain coffee's protective effects, prior research has linked coffee to reduced risks of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions.
“These findings are promising, but more research is needed to understand coffee's health benefits,” the researchers concluded, emphasizing the need for further exploration of this complex compound's potential.
Comments