Coffee Consumption Associated with Reduced Risk of All-Cause and CVD Mortality Despite Sedentary Behavior

by | Aug 21, 2024 | 2024, Caffeine, Cardiovascular Health, Recent Articles

Written by Chrystal Moulton, Science Writer. Non-coffee consumers who sat for more than six hours per day had a 58% increased risk of dying of all causes (HR= 1.58, P< 0.05) compared to coffee consumers sitting for the same amount of time who had 22% risk.

Individuals living a sedentary lifestyle are at significant risk for all cause and cardiovascular disease mortality compared to those with more active lifestyles1,2. On the other hand, coffee, which is rich in bioactive compounds, is associated with reduced risk of mortality and morbidity from chronic diseases3,4. Some studies have also shown that coffee consumption is associated with reduced mortality from cardiovascular diseases5,6. However, how coffee consumption affects individuals living sedentary lifestyles or exhibiting sedentary behavior has not been explored. In the current analysis, researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey [NHANES] database to determine the relationship between coffee consumption and sedentary behavior with regards to cardiovascular (CVD) and all-cause mortality risk7.

The National Health and Nutrition Survey [NHANES] is conducted every two years and started in 1999 to measure the health and nutritional status of Americans. Sociodemographic information, physical examinations, laboratory tests, and in-person interviews were conducted to collect health status of volunteers for the NHANES study. Researchers in this analysis used data from 2007 to 2018 to do their assessment since coffee consumption and daily sitting time was collected during that period. NHANES utilized the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire to measure total sitting time each day. Researchers in this analysis use that information and classified individuals into four categories (0-4 hours/d, 4-6 hours/d, 6-8 hours/d, ≥8 hours/d). Coffee consumption data was collected from the first 24-hour dietary recall interview. Individuals were also divided into four categories based on coffee consumption (no coffee intake, 0.23-326 g/day, 326-540 g/day, and ≥540 g/day. Mortality data was collected from the NCHS. Follow up duration was calculated has the number of months between the date of interview and date of death or until December 31, 2019. Researchers in this analysis utilized the NHANES data to determine any association between sitting behavior and coffee consumption with the risk of all-cause and CVD mortality.

After excluding ineligible participants data, 10,639 participants were included in the final analysis. Data showed that individuals who sat more than six hours per day were more likely to have an education above high school level, to have abdominal obesity (BMI ≥30), a larger waist circumference, and were more likely non-Hispanic white. Individuals who are older with an education above high school level and non-Hispanic white were more likely to be coffee drinkers. Based on the NHANES database, 52.1% of US adults were coffee consumers and 48.1% reported sitting more than six hours per day. Furthermore, 23% of the US adult population were non-coffee drinkers who reported sitting for more than six hours a day. From 2007 to 2018 survey cycles, 284 individuals died of cardiovascular disease out of a total 945 deaths. Regression analysis showed that individuals who sat for more than 8 hours per day had significantly higher risk of death due to all-cause (HR= 1.46, P< 0.001) and CVD mortality (HR= 1.79, P< 0.01) compared to those sitting for less than four hours per day. Also, individuals in the highest quartile of coffee consumption (> 540 grams/ day) had a significantly reduced the risk of all cause (HR= 0.67, P< 0.001) and CVD mortality (HR= 0.46, P< 0.001) compared to non-coffee drinkers. On the other hand, non-coffee consumers who sat for more than six hours per day had a 58% increased risk of dying of all causes (HR= 1.58, P< 0.05) compared to coffee consumers sitting for the same amount of time who had a 22% risk of dying of all causes (HR= 1.22, P< 0.05). As for CVD mortality, non-coffee drinkers who sat for more than six hours per day were two times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease (HR = 2.10, P < 0.05) then coffee drinkers with the same sedentary behavior (HR = 1.27, P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that individuals over the age of 65 who sat for more than 8 hours a day had a significantly higher risk of death due to all-causes (HR= 1.69, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the risk of all-cause mortality significantly increased with daily sitting time.

Data from this analysis showed that coffee consumption could serve as a protective measure against all cause and CVD mortality among individuals with sedentary behavior. However, additional studies will be needed to understand the bioactive components of coffee exhibiting the beneficial effect. Also, additional research will be needed to explore the optimal level of coffee consumption and sedentary behavior to support a healthy lifestyle.

Source:  Zhou, Huimin, Jing Nie, Yanmei Cao, Linjing Diao, Xiaoli Zhang, Jiafu Li, Siyu Chen et al. “Association of daily sitting time and coffee consumption with the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality among US adults.” BMC Public Health 24, no. 1 (2024): 1069.

© The Author(s) 2024. Open Access

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Posted August 21, 2024

Chrystal Moulton BA, PMP, is a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology with a focus on premedical studies and is a licensed project manager. She currently resides in Indianapolis, IN.

References:

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  7. Zhou H, Nie J, Cao Y, et al. Association of daily sitting time and coffee consumption with the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality among US adults. BMC Public Health. Apr 17 2024;24(1):1069. doi:10.1186/s12889-024-18515-9