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Health/Nutritional News

Coffee-Lots of it-Associated with Reduced Mortality

Coffee drinking is inversely associated with mortality in a dose-dependent manner, according to a New England Journal of Medicine study. Mortality risks were actually higher until the researchers adjusted for smoking — common among coffee drinkers.

Over 400,000 people aged 50 to 71 were followed for roughly 14 years after completing an extensive questionnaire on diet and lifestyle. All were initially free of cancer, heart disease, and stroke.

After adjustment, those who drank one cup per day or less had hazard ratios for mortality that were comparable to those who didn't drink coffee (0.99 for men; 1.01 for women). At the highest levels of consumption — six cups or more per day — the ratios were 0.90 for men and 0.85 for women.

The authors say the results may not reflect a cause-and-effect association, but they provide "reassurance with respect to the concern that coffee drinking might adversely affect health."