Coffee enthusiasts may have new reason to smile. A recent study suggests that having one cup of coffee each day could help protect the heart from atrial fibrillation, or A-fib, a frequent irregular heart rhythm linked to stroke, blood clots, and heart failure.
Lead author Christopher X. Wong noted that the findings were surprising. The research project, known as DECAF (Does Eliminating Coffee Avoid Fibrillation?), followed 200 adults diagnosed with A-fib for six months. One group drank at least one cup of caffeinated coffee or espresso daily, while the comparison group avoided all caffeine.
Using electrocardiograms to track participants, the researchers observed that those who consumed coffee had a 39 percent lower risk of experiencing another A-fib episode than those who stayed away from caffeine. The mechanism behind this effect is not yet fully understood, but senior author Gregory Marcus explained to NBC News that caffeine may be helpful because it can activate the body's adrenaline response. Many A-fib episodes are reported during calm periods when adrenaline levels are low.
Although more research is needed, the study suggests a reassuring takeaway. Wong stated that patients with A-fib who enjoy coffee can safely continue their daily cup based on these results.