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Coffee and Stroke – The Facts
Stroke Awareness Day – 10th May 2011
4th May 2011: Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability, and has an enormous physical, emotional and economic impact on patients, families and society. An estimated 150,000 people have a stroke in the UK each year.1 But did you know that research has demonstrated that coffee is not associated with any increased risk of stroke and may even have a protective affect?
New data published in March 2011 shows that women who drink more than one cup of coffee a day can significantly lower their risk of having a stroke by 25 per cent.2 This study looked at more than 34,600 women aged 49 to 83 whose health was monitored for 10 years. Previous research conducted in 2009 by Dr Esther Lopez-Garcia amongst a cohort of 83,076 women without a history of stroke, coronary heart disease, diabetes or cancer showed that women who consumed two to three cups of coffee per day had a 19% lower risk of stroke.3 This data builds on research published in 2008 which also showed that coffee consumption was associated with a lower instance of stroke.4
Text Box: Moderation is key: The overwhelming weight of scientific information suggests that moderate coffee consumption of four to five cups per day is safe and may even confer some health benefits. For pregnant women the NHS recommends consuming no more that 200mg of caffeine per day from all sources6Coffee is one of the nation’s favourite beverages and has been widely scientifically researched. Research into how coffee may help prevent the onset of stroke is required; however researchers claim it is unlikely that the protection comes from caffeine in coffee. Dr Lopez-Garcia, who led the study, commented that coffee components, other can caffeine, must account for coffee's associated health benefits. The study concluded that "Antioxidants in coffee can lower inflammation and improve blood vessel function".3 Coffee has been shown to be a major dietary source of antioxidants.5
Text Box: More Good News for Heart Health: • The scientific evidence concludes that moderate coffee consumption does not significantly affect peoples’ risk of coronary heart disease7 • The British Heart Foundation states that moderate amounts of caffeine (four to five cups per day) does not lead to arrhythmias, coronary heart disease, or effect an individual’s blood pressure, and nor does it increase the risk8Stroke accounts for around 53,000 deaths each year in the UK and is the third most common cause of death in England and Wales.1 Stroke has a greater disability impact than any other chronic disease.1 Over 300,000 people are living with moderate to severe disabilities as a result of stroke.1 To help raise awareness of the condition, the Stroke Association is holding Stroke Awareness Day on 10th May 2011.
The British Coffee Association (BCA) works to provide accurate information regarding coffee and health and notes that it is important that people continue to work towards a healthy lifestyle to prevent a stroke. However it is reassuring to know that moderate coffee consumption does not increase your risk of having a stroke and may in fact have a protective effect.
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