Coffee vs Couch: Can Your Daily Cup Save You?

A recent study published in BMC Public Health suggests that regular coffee consumption could potentially reduce the risk of mortality for individuals leading sedentary lifestyles. Researchers analyzed data from over 10,000 participants in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning from 2007 to 2018. They found that those who sat for more than six hours daily had a significantly higher risk of all-cause mortality compared to those sitting less.

Prolonged sedentary behavior, such as sitting for over eight hours a day, was linked to a 46% higher risk of all-cause mortality and a 79% higher risk of cardiovascular disease mortality. These findings underscore the serious health implications of prolonged sitting, including increased risks of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

However, the study also revealed an intriguing correlation: individuals who consumed coffee regularly appeared to experience a mitigated risk compared to their counterparts who did not drink coffee. Specifically, those who drank coffee and had sedentary lifestyles showed a 24% lower risk of mortality than non-coffee drinkers who sat for more than six hours daily.

The NHANES survey, conducted biennially by the National Center for Health Statistics, serves to monitor the health and nutrition status of Americans. The researchers, primarily from the Medical College of Soochow University in China, highlighted the critical need to address sedentary behavior due to its profound impact on public health.

Lead author Huimin Zhou, from the Medical College of Soochow University’s School of Public Health, emphasized the study’s significant findings, suggesting that coffee consumption might offer protective benefits against the adverse effects of prolonged sitting. This unexpected discovery opens avenues for further research into coffee’s potential health benefits beyond its well-known stimulating effects.

Re-reported from the article originally published in FIRSTPOST.