- The American Heart Association recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week to stay healthy.
- Previous research shows that a sedentary lifestyle can have detrimental effects on overall health and increase a person’s risk of mortality.
- Researchers at Soochow University found that people who don’t drink coffee have a higher all-cause mortality rate than coffee drinkers.
A healthy lifestyle involves getting the right amount of movement every day. The American Heart Association recommends that adults
Previous research shows that a sedentary lifestyle can have detrimental effects on overall health and increase the risk of developing several health conditions, including
Being constantly inactive has also been linked to
Now, new research recently published in the journal
Scientists from Soochow University in Suzhou, China, report that sitting for more than eight hours per day was linked to an increased risk of all-cause and heart disease-related mortality, compared to sitting for less than four hours per day. day. However, those who drank the most coffee appeared to have a reduced mortality risk compared to those who did not drink it.
For this study, researchers analyzed data from nearly 10,700 participants from the
“In recent years, increased TV time and computer use, as well as less physically demanding jobs, have led people to become more sedentary in their daily lives,” Bingyan Li, PhD , professor in the school’s Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene. of Public Health from the School of Medicine, Soochow University in Suzhou, China, and the corresponding author of this study said Medical news today. “Even if adults meet physical activity guidelines, sitting for long periods of time can harm
Sedentary behavior emerges as a potential determinant of adverse health outcomes, and sedentary behavior (behavior) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. And these adverse health effects impose a huge financial burden on the world.
“However, coffee is one of the most consumed beverages worldwide and among the U.S. population, and growing evidence also suggests that regular coffee consumption may reduce morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases by because of its powerful
After analyzing the data, Li and his research team concluded that sitting for more than eight hours per day was linked to a higher risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease-related death, compared to participants sitting for less than four hours. per day.
When taking coffee consumption into account, the scientists found that participants who drank the most coffee had a reduced risk of all-cause and cardiovascular disease-related mortality compared to those who didn’t drink coffee.
The researchers also reported that non-coffee drinking participants who sat for six hours or more per day were about 1.6 times more likely to die from all causes than coffee drinkers who sat for less than six hours per day.
“Research has indicated that prolonged, uninterrupted sitting appears to impair glucose metabolism and increase
“Sedentary behavior is a crucial and independent predictor of inflammation, as it induces pro-inflammatory markers while reducing anti-inflammatory markers. Additionally, previous studies have shown that sedentary behavior alters skeletal muscle metabolism and that for every hour spent sitting or lying on your stomach during waking hours,
“(T)he benefits of coffee consumption in improving overall adult survival compared to sedentary behavior are multiple. Coffee consumption reduces the risk of metabolic syndrome, which worsens inflammation. An inverse relationship between all-cause coffee consumption and cardiovascular disease mortality has been found in adults in numerous studies.
—Bingyan Li, PhD
After reviewing this study, Yu-Ming Ni, MD, a board-certified cardiologist and lipidologist at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, urged readers to take this study’s results with a grain of salt.
“This is an association study, so we are trying to understand the relationship between coffee and cardiovascular disease,” Ni told MNT. “But when you look at the associations, it’s hard to know if coffee is the reason the reduction in heart disease occurs or if there is some other factor that the person drinking coffee is doing that reduces their cardiovascular mortality This is probably the most important takeaway.”
“I think it’s really important that we recognize that lifestyle choices are the foundation of good health. The American Heart Association has published the
Essential 8 , which are the eight lifestyle choices and medical management most associated with good health. And a very small portion of Americans respect the eight principles. So I think it’s still possible to study behavior change and healthy behaviors as a way to be healthy and reduce the risk of heart disease. And coffee consumption is one of the behaviors that we have been studying for a long time.
—Yu-Ming Ni, MD
MNT also spoke with Monique Richard, MS, RDN, LDN, registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Nutrition-In-Sight, about this study.
Richard said it’s important to remember that many factors influence whether you can reap the potential benefits of coffee, tea or any other beverage.
“The source of the grain, the quality, how it is processed, what is added to it – preservatives, cream, sugar – how much is consumed and how often, as well as the individual’s caffeine sensitivity, condition current health issues – pharmaceutical drugs, blood pressure, heart problems – and the metabolic response to it,” she detailed. “Three to five 8-ounce cups per day, or about 400 mg of caffeine, is the current recommended daily limit, but tolerance can vary greatly among individuals.”
Looking at other aspects attributed to coffee consumption that individuals may view as offsetting the consequences of being sedentary, Richard said that the caffeine in coffee may provide more alertness by acting on the central nervous system and that it can have a beneficial effect on mood and well-being. for an individual.
“It can bring mental clarity and acuity,” she continued. “However, there are also some downsides to consider. Certain compounds found in coffee, especially if unfiltered, can increase lipid levels, cause anxiety, nervousness, GERD, gastrointestinal problems, heart palpitations or cardiovascular markers. metabolic factors such as homocysteine levels.
For readers considering drinking coffee for its potential health benefits, Richard advised:
- Work with a registered dietitian nutritionist to determine how coffee may or may not benefit your health and needs.
- Don’t necessarily start adding it if you don’t already like it
- Determine the amount you consume, keeping in mind that a 32-ounce cold brew with extra vanilla and caramel syrup will not provide the benefits of unsweetened coffee with low-fat milk or without anything added.
- Ask yourself, “If I am sedentary for six to eight hours, how can I move more every hour, every day?”