When you wake up in the morning, do you reach for a cup of coffee to get your day started? You might be doing more than just getting a caffeine boost – you might be protecting your heart health. A recent study found that moderate coffee consumption, defined as about three cups per day, is associated with a lower risk of developing cardiometabolic multimorbidity.

Cardiometabolic multimorbidity, or CM, is the coexistence of at least two cardiometabolic diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Researchers analyzed data from over 180,000 people in the UK Biobank and found that moderate caffeine consumers had a reduced risk of new onset CM. The risk was reduced by 48.1% for those who had three cups a day, or 40.7% for those who had 200-300 milligrams of caffeine daily.

But what does this mean for you? Should you start drinking more coffee? Not necessarily. While the study suggests a benefit from moderate coffee consumption, it's important to remember that correlation does not equal causation. Other factors may actually be the cause of the improved heart health. For example, people who drink more coffee may also tend to have a healthier diet or be more physically active.

It's also important to note that the study didn't take into consideration the impact of caffeine from carbonated beverages or energy drinks. And while the study suggests a benefit from moderate coffee consumption, it's not necessarily a sign to start a regular caffeine routine. As Dr. Gregory Marcus, associate chief of cardiology for research and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, said, "More is not necessarily better."

The Daily Grind: How Moderate Coffee Consumption May Boost Heart Health

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