Drinking coffee? The new findings you should know about its effect on the heart

A large new study, which tracked nearly half a million people over 13 years, found that drinking 2-3 cups of coffee per day is associated with a 7% to 11% lower risk of developing atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder. The study was published in the journal Food & Nutrition Research.

A large new study, which tracked nearly half a million people in the UK over 13 years, found a surprising link between coffee consumption and heart health. According to the findings, published in the journal Food & Nutrition Research, consuming 2-3 cups of coffee per day was associated with a 7% to 11% lower risk of developing atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder. The researchers also examined tea and found a modest reduction of about 5% in risk among those drinking 2-3 cups per day, but the findings were less consistent. Higher consumption (4 cups or more) showed no additional benefit. The researchers emphasize that this is an observational study, which does not prove cause and effect, and that other lifestyle factors may influence the results. Additionally, the study included decaffeinated coffee and was conducted on a specific British population, which limits generalizability.