Skip to main content

Morning Coffee Linked to Longer Life, Heart Health Benefits

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Jan 8, 2025.

By India Edwards HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 8, 2025 -- For many, coffee is a beloved morning ritual, fueling the day ahead. But what if the time you drink it could influence how long -- and how well -- you live?

New research published Jan. 8 in the European Heart Journal suggests that when you enjoy your cup of Joe might be just as important as how much you drink.

The study shows consuming coffee only in the morning was linked to a 16% lower risk of premature death and a 31% reduced risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared to non-coffee drinkers.

"This is the first study testing coffee drinking timing patterns and health outcomes," lead study author Dr. Lu Qi, a professor of public health at Tulane University, said in a news release.

"We don’t typically give advice about timing in our dietary guidance, but perhaps we should be thinking about this in the future."

Researchers analyzed data from over 40,000 adults aged 18 and up using dietary records collected between 1999 and 2018. Coffee consumption was divided into three timeframes: morning (from 4 a.m. to 11:59 a.m.), afternoon (from 12 p.m. to 4:59 p.m.), and evening (from 5 p.m. to 3:59 a.m.)

Results show that those who drank coffee exclusively in the morning benefited the most in terms of longevity and heart health.

Meanwhile, folks who drank coffee throughout the day saw no significant reduction in risk.

The findings held true regardless of whether participants drank caffeinated or de-caffeinated coffee, and the amount consumed -- whether they drank less than one cup or more than three -- didn't impact the benefits.

So, why does timing matter?

Experts agree that the timing of coffee intake may influence your circadian rhythm and hormone levels. Drinking coffee later in the day, even if we feel like we need it, may disrupt melatonin production, a hormone that regulates sleep and influences heart health.

According to study authors, some inflammatory markers in the blood have their own clocks. And the anti-inflammatory effects of coffee may be more effective when consumed in the morning, when these markers peak.

However, the study was observational and cannot prove causation, noted Vanessa King, a registered dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics who wasn’t involved in the study, told CNN.

Sources

  • European Heart Journal, study, Jan. 8
  • CNN

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Posted January 2025

Read this next

Self-Employment Is Good For Heart Health, Especially For Women

TUESDAY, June 3, 2025 — Being your own boss might seem potentially stressful, but self-employed women appear to have better heart health than those toiling for a company, a...

Dr. Robert Jarvik, Inventor of First Human Artificial Heart, Dies at 79

FRIDAY, May 30, 2025 — Dr. Robert Jarvik, the man behind the world’s first permanent artificial heart used in a human, has died.  He was 79, The New York Times...

Wildfire Smoke Threatens Heart, Lung Health For Months Afterward

FRIDAY, May 30, 2025 — Skies choked with wildfire smoke can affect people’s heart and lung health for up to three months afterwards, a new study says. The particle...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.