From the New Scientist:
A strong cup of coffee in the morning can feel like a life saver. Now, one of the largest and longest studies of coffee drinking suggests that coffee may indeed boost your lifespan – providing you drink enough of the stuff, that is.
The study tracked 129,000 men and women over two decades. It found that people who consumed several cups of coffee every day were less likely to die of heart disease than those who shied away from the stuff. Heart disease is an umbrella term for conditions including heart attacks, stroke, and arrhythmia.
The researchers found that women who drank four to five cups per day were 34% less likely to die of heart disease, while men who had more than five cups a day were 44% less likely to die.
I have only two words: Woo hoo!!!
5 Responses
Correlation is not causation. Perhaps people with certain traits or occupations or lifestyles drink more coffee. The trait/occup/lifestyle also helps with longevity. Therefore longevity and coffee are correlated but it is not the case that “coffee makes you live longer”.
My god. We’re saved! :-)
This study does not account for income. It is a study of only nurses so no one is unemployed, but spouses’ incomes are relevant. There is obviously a relationship between wealth and health and it wouldn’t be odd to assume that richer people can afford to buy more coffee.
Thus, this study seems very flawed to me and you should hold off asking your doctor for an increased dosage of your coffee prescription.
Unfortunately I have a powerful habit that links coffee drinking and smoking cigarettes, so hopefully they will cancel each other out. Both of which also make me late for class, and steal study time from the library, which will lower my expected future income, and there is a relationship between wealth and health……
Yesss!
*switches kettle on again*
*forwards New Scientist to colleague who drinks vile barley health drink and colleague who only ever drinks water*
* laughs evil fiend laugh mwahahahahahaha*