Moderate to high amounts of coffee intake is associated with increased levels of inflammation in the body. An ongoing, low-level inflammation is considered to be an underlying factor in the development of heart disease. Researchers from the University of Athens conducted a study of about 3000 subjects with no history of cardiovascular disease. A food-frequency questionnaire was used to assess the coffee intake, and blood samples were tested to find out the levels of various compounds that promote inflammation. The results were then compared with subjects who did not drink coffee. Investigators found that those who consumed more than 1 cup of the beverage every day had significantly higher levels of all the inflammatory markers tested. The results held true even after factoring in age, gender, smoking, body weight, physical activity, and other potential factors that may affect the heart. Though the findings provide a mechanism by which coffee intake could promote heart disease, further studies are needed to confirm the present findings.
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,
October 2004