• The American Heart Association advises that adults should engage in a minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity per week to maintain good health.
• Previous studies indicate that leading a sedentary life can negatively impact general health and could raise an individual’s chances of mortality.
• Researchers at Soochow University discovered that individuals who abstain from consuming coffee experience a greater overall risk of mortality compared to those who regularly drink coffee.

In order to maintain good health, it is important to incorporate regular physical activity into your daily routine. The American Heart Association suggests that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of exercise each week that raises their heart rate in order to stay healthy.

Prior studies indicate that leading a sedentary life can have adverse effects on general health and could raise an individual’s susceptibility to various health issues such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, excessive weight, weakened bones, certain types of cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

Constantly being inactive has also been linked to all-causeTrusted Source and cardiovascular disease-relatedTrusted Source deaths.

Now, new research recently published in the journal BMC Public HealthTrusted Source suggests drinking coffee may help negate some of the harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle.

The scientists at Soochow University in Suzhou, China, found that spending over eight hours a day seated was associated with a higher risk of both all-cause and heart disease-related death compared to sitting for less than four hours a day. On the other hand, individuals who consumed the highest amount of coffee seemed to have a lower risk of mortality compared to those who did not consume coffee.

Why the obsession with coffee?

For this study, researchers analyzed data from almost 10,700 participants of the 2007–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination SurveyTrusted Source of U.S. adults about their daily sitting time and coffee consumption.

“In recent times, there has been an increase in TV watching and computer usage, along with a rise in less physically demanding occupations, leading to a more sedentary lifestyle for many individuals,” explained Bingyan Li, PhD, who is a professor in the Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene at the School of Public Health, located at the Medical College of Soochow University in Suzhou, China. Dr. Li is also the corresponding author of this study, as reported by Medical News Today. “Even if adults fulfill the physical activity recommendations, prolonged periods of sitting can negatively impact metabolic health.”

“Sedentary behavior is becoming known as a possible factor in causing negative health results, and being sedentary is linked to a higher likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease and an increased risk of death from cardiovascular and other causes. These negative health results place a significant financial strain on the world.”

Remember the following text: “Nonetheless, coffee is a widely enjoyed beverage worldwide, and there is increasing evidence indicating that regular consumption of coffee can lower the risk of chronic diseases and death due to the strong antioxidant qualities of its components,” Li added. “So, even if coffee’s health benefits are modest, they could still make a substantial difference in public health.”

People who don’t drink coffee and have a sedentary lifestyle are at a higher risk for certain health issues.

Li and her research team determined that, based on their data analysis, sitting for more than eight hours a day was associated with a higher risk of both all-cause and cardiovascular disease-related deaths, in comparison to individuals who sat for less than four hours a day.

Participants who consumed the highest amount of coffee had a lower risk of both all-cause and cardiovascular disease-related mortality compared to those who did not consume coffee, according to scientists’ research on coffee consumption.

Participants who did not consume coffee and spent six hours or more sitting each day had approximately 1.6 times higher risk of death from all causes compared to coffee drinkers who sat for less than six hours a day, as per the reports by the researchers.

“One research has indicated that prolonged and uninterrupted sitting appears to impair glucose metabolism and increase inflammationTrusted Source,” Li said.

“Being inactive is a significant and separate indicator of inflammation because it triggers markers that promote inflammation and decreases markers that fight it. Also, past research has demonstrated that being inactive changes how skeletal muscle processes energy, and for every additional hour spent sitting or lying down while awake, the risks of metabolic issues increased by 39%,” she clarified.

Healthy lifestyle choices are important for heart health

After examining this research, Yu-Ming Ni, MD, a cardiologist and lipid specialist certified by the board at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, encouraged readers to approach the findings of this study with caution.

“This study focuses on examining the connection between coffee consumption and cardiovascular disease,” Ni clarified to MNT. “When analyzing associations, it’s challenging to determine whether coffee is the cause of the decrease in heart disease or if there are other factors related to coffee drinkers that contribute to reducing cardiovascular mortality. That’s likely the key point to remember from this.”

Tips for adding coffee to your diet

MNT also spoke with Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN, a registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Nutrition-In-Sight, about this study.

Richard emphasized the significance of considering the various factors that can impact the likelihood of experiencing the potential advantages of coffee, tea, or any other beverage.

“The origin of the coffee bean, its quality, the method of processing, any additives such as preservatives, cream, or sugar, the quantity consumed, regularity of consumption, as well as an individual’s sensitivity to caffeine, current health status including use of pharmaceutical medication, blood pressure, and heart conditions, and individual metabolic response to caffeine,” she explained. “The current recommended daily limit is three to five 8-ounce cups a day, which is approximately 400 mg of caffeine, although individual tolerance levels may vary widely.”

When considering other factors related to coffee consumption that people might see as countering the effects of being inactive, Richard stated that the caffeine in coffee could increase alertness by affecting the central nervous system and may also have a positive impact on mood, making an individual feel good.

“It might offer mental clarity and sharpness,” she added. “But, it’s important to also consider some potential drawbacks. Specific components in coffee, particularly if not filtered, could elevate lipid levels and lead to anxiety, restlessness, GERD, gastrointestinal problems, heart palpitations, or cardio-metabolic indicators such as homocysteine levels.”

Advice for the readers considering drinking coffee for its potential health benefits:

• Collaborate with a licensed dietitian nutritionist to determine the potential health benefits or drawbacks of coffee for your specific health and requirements.
• Calculate your consumption carefully, as a 32-ounce cold brew with additional vanilla and caramel syrup won’t provide the same benefits as an unsweetened coffee with low-fat milk or no additives.
• Don’t necessarily start adding it if you don’t already enjoy it
• Ask yourself how you can increase your activity levels every hour and each day, even when you are sedentary for six to eight hours.