People who drink coffee in the morning are 20 percent less likely to have metabolic syndrome than those who do not drink coffee at all, according to new research. The association was not observed, however, among those who spread their coffee consumption throughout the day.
According to the Korea Food Communication Forum, a research team led by Maoqi Shen of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University in China analyzed dietary data from 11,632 adults aged 20 and older who participated in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2003 and 2018. Participants were divided into "morning-concentrated" and "all-day spread" drinkers based on when they consumed coffee, and their rates of metabolic syndrome were compared with those of non-coffee drinkers.
Morning-concentrated coffee drinkers were 20 percent less likely to have metabolic syndrome than non-drinkers. The association held even after researchers adjusted for factors that could influence the results, including sex, age, income, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, sleep, diet quality and total caloric intake. Among those in the all-day spread group, no significant difference in metabolic syndrome prevalence was found compared with non-drinkers. The lower likelihood of metabolic syndrome among morning drinkers was observed relatively consistently regardless of whether they consumed small or large amounts of coffee.
Metabolic syndrome is a condition in which multiple metabolic abnormalities — including abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, elevated triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol — occur together in one person. It is considered a risk factor that raises the likelihood of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. A subgroup analysis found the association between morning-concentrated coffee drinking and lower metabolic syndrome prevalence was relatively stronger among women, those aged 40 and under, and people of normal weight, underweight or overweight.
The researchers suggested that the metabolic effects of bioactive compounds in coffee — such as caffeine and polyphenols — may interact with the body's circadian rhythms. Because late-day caffeine intake can affect sleep and the body's internal clock, they said the timing of consumption deserves consideration alongside total intake.
The study is a cross-sectional observational study comparing coffee-drinking habits and health status at a single point in time. It does not establish a causal relationship showing that morning coffee directly prevents metabolic syndrome or that afternoon and evening coffee harms metabolic health. The findings may also not fully account for the type of coffee consumed, whether sugar or cream was added, or changes in drinking habits over time. Experts advise against adding excessive sugar, syrup or cream to coffee, and recommend cutting back on late-afternoon and evening consumption, when caffeine may disrupt sleep. Even morning coffee is best enjoyed in moderate amounts alongside a balanced breakfast that includes vegetables, fruit, whole grains and protein. The study was published in a recent issue of the British Journal of Nutrition.
kty@heraldcorp.com
