ODD facts
If You Drink Coffee, Drink Lots of It!
This one will pique the interest of many of you as it is somewhat counter-intuitive and involves a behavior that we are likely to participating in. Let's begin with the end: If you drink coffee, drink more rather than less, at least from a risk of stroke perspective. In a November 2, 2010 study appearing in
Neurology
by Mostofsky et al entitled "Coffee and acute ischemic stroke onset", it is reported that the risk of stroke among persons who consume 1 cup or less of coffee per day is 2.0 times greater than those who don't. The increased risk is NOT present for persons who drink more coffee, drink caffeinated tea or soft drinks.
"The association between ischemic stroke in the hour after coffee consumption was only apparent among those consuming </= one cup per day but not for patients who consumed coffee more regularly."
From previous research, coffee has been documented to have some other adverse effects, including: elevated levels of (nor)epinephrine, increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, increased vascular resistance and a slight drop in heart rate. There is an elevated risk of acute myocardial infarction and sudden cardiac death in the hours after coffee intake.
Reality gets a little fuzzy from this point out as many people, who consume larger amounts of coffee, are thought to develop a tolerance to the caffeine involved and may even end up with a level of prevention related to stroke over time. This tolerance may extend to some of the other cardiac modifying factors just discussed.
What is a person to do...try the decaf and make it a Vente!
