Drinking coffee does not increase the risk of heart attacks in women

Researchers in the United States have found that drinking coffee does not increase the risk of heart attacks in women.

The team from Harvard School of Public Health in Boston, Massachusetts, say in point of fact coffee may even confer some benefit.

The study of 32,650 Swedish women was carried out between 1987 and 1990.

The women were followed up on average for five years and during that time a total of 459 heart attacks occurred, 391 of the women survived but 68 of the attacks were fatal.

Studies examining the ties between coffee consumption and risk of heart attack have produced mixed results, some suggesting a harmful effect of coffee consumption on the heart, whereas others have shown no link.

In their study, Dr. Sarah A. Rosner, of Harvard School of Public Health, and colleagues examined the effect of coffee consumption on the risk of heart attack in the Swedish women who were between 40 and 74 years of age.

After adjustments were made for other contributing factors, the team found that women who drank 5 or more cups of coffee per week had a 32 percent reduced risk of having a heart attack compared with women who drank 0 to 4 cups per week.

The researchers say their results showed a trend towards a lower risk with higher consumption of coffee.

They say there are "several plausible biologic mechanisms" by which coffee may reduce the risk of heart attack; coffee contains phenolic compounds, which are known antioxidants and may reduce oxidative stress, and has also been shown to improve the body's use of insulin and possibly protects against type 2 diabetes.

The research is published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.