**Italian Research Team, 25-Year Follow-Up Study of 943 People**
A new study suggests that even those with high blood pressure can safely enjoy coffee. Chronic coffee consumption does not appear to increase mortality rates from cardiovascular diseases or overall mortality. According to the Korean Food Communication Forum (KOFRUM), Professor Guido Grassi’s team from the Department of Internal Medicine and Surgery at the University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy, analyzed the relationship between coffee consumption and mortality in 943 patients with hypertension, arriving at this conclusion.
The research team analyzed data from the PAMELA (Pressioni Arteriose Monitorate E Loro Associazioni) study, which tracked 943 hypertensive patients for 25 years. Participants were divided into coffee-consuming and non-consuming groups, and the differences in cardiovascular disease mortality and overall mortality between the groups were examined. The analysis revealed no significant statistical difference between the two groups. Although not statistically significant, the mortality rates for cardiovascular disease and overall mortality were actually 15% and 17% lower, respectively, in the coffee-consuming group. There were also no differences in mortality rates for cardiovascular diseases and overall mortality between groups based on age, gender, blood pressure, or use of hypertension medication.
The research team concluded: “Even elderly or medicated hypertensive patients can enjoy coffee without concerns. Both male and female hypertension patients can safely enjoy coffee.” The study is notable for its 25-year follow-up period, the longest to date, as well as its evaluation of middle-aged subjects and actual blood pressure measurements.
Meanwhile, other studies have shown that consuming up to three cups of coffee per day generally does not significantly affect blood pressure and may even reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. A meta-analysis published in the renowned “New England Journal of Medicine” in 2022 concluded that consuming 2-3 cups of coffee per day could contribute to lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
This research was published in a recent issue of the international journal “Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases.”