Coffee is a health drink. This is what most of all the research on this topic points to. But not every study. Fresh research from the University of Galway has found that when it comes to stroke risk, Excessive amounts of coffee can be as bad for you or worse than soda and fruit juice.
As reported Neurology newsconclusions from the Interstroke research project, “one of the largest international studies of stroke risk factors, involving almost 27,000 people in 27 countries, including almost 13,500 first-time stroke survivors.” Using a global group of participants, Interstroke examines the impact of what we eat and drink on stroke risk, and researchers from the University of Galway used this data to look at the impact of four different drinks: carbonated drinks, fruit juices, coffee and tea.
Published in two different studies – one on soda and fruit juice, the other on coffee and tea – researchers found that soda and fruit juice were associated with an increased risk of stroke, by 22% and 37%, respectively. This risk “increases sharply” when drinking two or more cups a day, which triples the amount of fruit juice.
Coffee consumed in excess, i.e. more than four cups, also increased the risk of stroke by 37%. Meanwhile, tea has been linked to an 18-29% risk reduction. However, the study noted that consuming any amount of coffee less than four was not associated with any increased risk.
Another factor taken into account is the addition of milk to the drink. Analyzing the tea, researchers found that any beneficial effect on stroke disappeared when the drink contained milk. Given the popularity of espresso-based milk drinks in coffee culture, this could potentially explain the discrepancy in the effects of coffee and tea, two caffeinated beverages opulent in antioxidants.
Although these are associations, meaning no causal link has been established between higher coffee consumption and increased risk of stroke, it is at least worth noting, especially for people who are at increased risk of stroke due to high blood pressure. It turns out that there is too much of a good thing.
