Recent research suggests that enjoying several cups of coffee each day could help mitigate cognitive decline among those living with atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common heart rhythm issue affecting millions.
The findings were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of the American Heart Association.
Study Insights
Jürg H. Beer, M.D., a professor at the University of Zürich and the study’s lead investigator, pointed out that these results don’t imply that AFib patients need to shy away from coffee.
In fact, it seems that coffee could potentially offer health advantages for these individuals.
Atrial fibrillation impacts over 5 million adults in the United States and is the most prevalent type of heart rhythm irregularity.
New guidance from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association indicates that avoiding caffeine in order to prevent arrhythmias is not beneficial for those with AFib.
However, some patients may find relief from their symptoms by reducing coffee intake if they notice that caffeine worsens their condition.
There’s a well-established connection between regular coffee consumption and enhanced cognitive function in healthy people.
Considering that AFib raises the risk of developing dementia, researchers wondered whether coffee could help lessen this risk for affected individuals.
Results from the Swiss-AF Study
Federal dietary guidelines recommend incorporating three to five cups of plain black coffee into a healthy diet.
Nonetheless, the American Heart Association warns against high-calorie coffee drinks like lattes and macchiatos, which often contain excessive sugars and fats.
The Swiss Atrial Fibrillation Cohort Study (Swiss-AF) followed over 2,400 patients diagnosed with AFib between 2014 and 2017.
Participants reported their coffee consumption for the past year and underwent various cognitive tests, without standardizing cup sizes or accounting for additives.
The researchers analyzed cognitive test results to see if increased coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline.
They also examined inflammation markers, given the links between inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, and AFib.
- Higher coffee consumption correlated with better performance on cognitive tests.
- Coffee drinkers scored 11% better on tests related to processing speed, visuomotor skills, and attention compared to those who abstained.
- Participants who consumed more coffee had cognitive ages that were approximately 6.7 years younger than those who drank much less.
- Those drinking five cups of coffee daily showed over a 20% reduction in inflammation markers compared to individuals who had less than one cup.
- The study found no significant influence of age or sex on the amount of coffee consumed.
Beer remarked on a clear relationship between increased coffee intake and improved scores across various cognitive evaluations.
There were significant reductions in inflammation markers linked to higher coffee consumption, and these associations were consistent even when factoring in variables such as age, sex, body mass index, lifestyle choices, and history of stroke.
Cautions and Limitations
Prior research, noted by lead author Massimo Barbagallo, M.D., suggests that coffee might fend off cognitive decline due to ingredients like caffeine and beneficial compounds such as magnesium and vitamin B3, or possibly due to its effects on inflammatory processes.
Yet José A. Joglar, M.D., who chaired the 2023 AFib management guidelines, cautioned that this observational analysis does not definitively prove that coffee consumption prevents long-term cognitive decline in AFib patients.
He stressed that although coffee appears benign or even beneficial for AFib, the study does not establish that it can avert this condition or future cognitive challenges.
The researchers acknowledged certain limitations, including the timing of their assessments, which were conducted at a single point rather than over an extended period.
This means it is difficult to assess cognitive decline related to aging or to track changes in coffee consumption over time.
Since this cross-sectional study cannot prove causation, one must be cautious in drawing conclusions.
Additionally, the findings might not be broadly applicable, as the cohort predominantly consisted of a white population from Switzerland with their specific coffee habits.
In conclusion, the study involved 2,413 participants with an average age of 73, of whom 27% were women.
They were enrolled in the ongoing Swiss-AF project, which closely monitors stroke incidents and cognitive abilities over time.
Upon enrollment, participants detailed their coffee intake for the past year while undergoing a series of cognitive tests aimed at assessing verbal abilities, executive function, memory, processing speed, and attention.
Participants were also screened for depressive symptoms, utilizing natural language processing techniques to gauge their mental state.
Source: ScienceDaily