Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Coffee Drinkers May Live Longer, And It Doesn't Matter If It's Caf, Decaf, Instant Or Brewed
The Associated Press: Fresh Grounds For Coffee: Study Shows It May Boost Longevity
Go ahead and have that cup of coffee, maybe even several more. New research shows it may boost chances for a longer life, even for those who down at least eight cups daily. In a study of nearly half-a-million British adults, coffee drinkers had a slightly lower risk of death over 10 years than abstainers. The apparent longevity boost was seen with instant, ground and decaffeinated, results that echo U.S. research. It's the first large study to suggest a benefit even in people with genetic glitches affecting how their bodies use caffeine. (7/2)
The New York Times: Coffee Drinkers May Live Longer
It's not clear exactly how drinking coffee might affect longevity. Lead author Erikka Loftfield, a researcher at the U.S. National Cancer Institute, said coffee contains more than 1,000 chemical compounds including antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage. (Bakalar, 7/2)
WBUR: Multiple Cups Of Coffee — Brewed Or Instant, Caf Or Decaf — May Be Good For You, Study Finds
On the basis of this study, some people who were holding back on coffee because of lingering health concerns may want to drink a little more if they want to, professor Alice Lichstenstein says. "But," she added, "I would also suggest if someone doesn't enjoy coffee, the data are not strong enough that they should start drinking coffee." (Goldberg, 7/2)
