In a large study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, scientists questioned the recommendation to abstain from coffee to prevent arrhythmias.
Professional cardiology communities recommend avoiding drinks with caffeine to reduce the risk of developing abnormal heart rhythms (1, 2). The evidence that supports this advice comes primarily from a small study in the 1980s. More recent studies have generally shown that people who drink coffee are not more likely to develop tachyarrhythmias (rhythm disturbances with rapid heartbeats).
Scientists from the University of California at San Francisco conducted a major study to clarify the possible association of coffee with the risk of arrhythmias. They point out that coffee has many beneficial effects (eg, anti-inflammatory, reduced risk of cancer, diabetes). Moreover, they are especially pronounced when drinking caffeinated coffee. Refraining from its use, people will receive less useful substances.
For the study, scientists analyzed the data of more than 386 thousand people, information about which was collected by the British Biobank. During observation for 4-5 years, arrhythmias developed in approximately 17,000 of them. All participants detailed how often they drink coffee.
Scientists found no association between coffee drinking patterns and risk of arrhythmias in participants. What's more, the study found that daily coffee consumption was associated with a 3% reduction in the risk of arrhythmias.
“We found no evidence for the common recommendation to avoid coffee and caffeine. For some people, caffeine can be a trigger for arrhythmias, but evidence suggests that these cases are rare,” said Dr. Gregory Markus, co-author of the study.
In their study, the authors also took into account genetic factors that may affect how different people tolerate caffeine.
“Most people, even those with arrhythmias, can drink a cup of coffee. And for some of them, the caffeine in coffee can help reduce the risk of arrhythmias,” says Marcus.