Dr. Ahmed El-Souhemi, a professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto, Canada, and his colleagues, conducted a study with 4,000 adults, including about 2,000, who had suffered a heart attack.
When they looked at the genes and coffee consumption of all the participants, they found that those who drank four or more cups of coffee per day had a 36% increased risk of a heart attack.
However, when the research team categorized the data into fast and slow caffeine metabolizing groups, the result surprised them. The chance of a heart attack appeared to be higher in heavy coffee drinkers who are slow metabolizers.
Dr. El-Souhemi said that when you look at the fast metabolizers, there was absolutely no increased risk.
Fast caffeine metabolizing participants who drank one, two, three cups of coffee per day had a marked reduction in heart attacks, suggesting that for this group, coffee had beneficial effects.
Dr. El-Souhemi speculates that because caffeine remains longer in a slow metabolizer, the chance of it triggering a heart attack is higher.
By contrast, because fast metabolizers are able to get rid of caffeine from their systems faster, it allows the antioxidants, polyphenols, and coffee's other healthful nutrients to benefit them without the side effects of caffeine.
Although caffeine may boost your mood, metabolism, and mental and physical performance, overconsumption of it may lead to unpleasant consequences such as insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, nausea, and increased heart rate.
Some people can tolerate much more caffeine than others without experiencing discomfort, while others are more sensitive to it.
Usually, moderate drinking of coffee won't cause a health problem.
The bottom line is to be mindful of caffeine's possible side effects and be ready to cut back if required.
Certain medications and herbal supplements can possibly interact with caffeine.
Some examples include ephedrine and teofiline.
The former may increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, or seizure, and the latter may magnify caffeine side effects like nausea and heart palpitations.
Not getting enough sleep
Coffee helps people stay awake during the day, but it may also affect the quality of sleep if consumed too much or before sleep.
The effect of caffeine starts in around 15 minutes and remains in the body for several hours.
Doctors recommend curbing coffee consumption after 2pm to ensure that most caffeine can be metabolized before bedtime and allow adenosine to kick back in for a good night's sleep.
We wish that freshly brewed coffee brightens your morning and keeps you energized throughout the day.