A new study has revealed surprising benefits of drinking coffee for your cardiovascular health.
Experts have discovered that drinking a cup of coffee every day could lower the risk of heart rhythm disorder, Daily Mail reported.
A team of researchers from the University of California found a link between caffeinated drinks and atrial fibrillation, a condition that causes irregular heartbeat which can lead to heart failure and stroke.
The researchers studied 200 patients with a persistent heart rhythm problem who were going to have an electrical cardioversion, a brief shock to reset the heart’s rhythm.
After the procedure the patients were randomly divided into three groups: one drank a cup of regular coffee each day for six months, another group drank an espresso each day for six months, and the third group stopped drinking coffee and any other caffeinated drinks completely.
The results of the study revealed that the people who had a coffee every day had about 39% lower chances of atrial fibrillation coming back.
A senior author of the study, Gregory Marcus, said, “Coffee increases physical activity, which is known to reduce atrial fibrillation. Caffeine is also a diuretic, which could potentially reduce blood pressure and in turn lessen atrial fibrillation risk. Several other ingredients in coffee also have anti-inflammatory properties that could have positive effects.”
The first author, Christopher Wong, called the results “astounding” and said that doctors have always recommended patients with problematic atrial fibrillation minimise caffeine intake, but the study not only proved that it is safe but also showed that it is “likely to be protective.”
As per the recent stats published by the British Heart Foundation, the number of people experiencing atrial fibrillation has increased by 50% in a decade.
