Latest news with #FangFangZhang
Evening Standard
16 hours ago
- Health
- Evening Standard
Coffee vs tea: which one is really better for your health?
The research by Tufts University analysed data from over 46,000 adults and concluded that moderate coffee consumption was linked to a 14–17% lower risk of death from any cause. However, those benefits vanished when drinks were loaded with sweeteners or lots of saturated fat such as cream – a splash of milk is fine. Fang Fang Zhang, senior author of the study, said: 'Coffee is among the most-consumed beverages in the world, and with nearly half of American adults reporting drinking at least one cup per day, it's important for us to know what it might mean for health. The health benefits of coffee might be attributable to its bioactive compounds.'
News.com.au
28-06-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Daily Aussie habit that could add years to your lifespan
For many Aussies, drinking coffee is a quick way to get a sure-fire energy boost. But a new study, presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition, suggests it might also support longer-term health, specifically, healthy ageing. While the study hasn't been peer-reviewed or published yet, it was thorough and tracked a large group of women over many decades. It adds to the growing body of research linking coffee to a longer life and various health benefits, including lower risks of certain chronic illnesses. Fang Fang Zhang, a professor of nutritional epidemiology at Tufts University who wasn't involved with the study, told The New York Times that the findings connecting coffee with healthier ageing weren't surprising. 'The data is quite consistent that coffee consumption is actually beneficial,' she said. The study methodology Researchers followed more than 47,000 female nurses over several decades, starting in the 1970s. The women answered questions about various lifestyle factors every few years, including how much coffee, tea, and cola (Coca-Cola or Pepsi) they drank. In 2016, the researchers looked at how many were still alive and met the criteria for 'healthy ageing'. Just over 3700 women met this definition: they were 70 or older, in good physical and mental health, with no cognitive impairment or memory loss, and free from 11 chronic diseases like cancer, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney failure, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis. They found a correlation between the amount of caffeine consumed (mostly from coffee) between ages 45 and 60 and the likelihood of healthy ageing. After adjusting for other factors that could affect ageing, such as diet, exercise, and smoking, the women who consumed the most caffeine (nearly seven small cups a day) were 13 per cent more likely to age healthily than those who had the least (less than one cup a day). Drinking tea or decaf coffee wasn't linked to healthy ageing, possibly because the overall consumption of tea and decaf was lower among the study participants, making it harder to see benefits. What other research says The study lead warned that just because drinking seven cups of coffee daily was associated with healthier ageing doesn't mean everyone should do so, nor is it necessarily healthy. However, many other studies have found similar links between regular coffee consumption and health benefits. A team from Queen Mary University, London, recently revealed that caffeine can help you live longer by influencing how cells grow, repair, and respond to stress. The British researchers believe this could significantly boost longevity and even help ward off dementia, diabetes, and heart failure. Another study from May this year, involving over 46,000 adults, found that those who drank one to three cups of coffee daily were 15 per cent less likely to die within the next nine to 11 years compared to those who didn't drink caffeinated coffee. The takeaways While these studies can't prove cause and effect, the consistent benefits observed suggest they are unlikely to be due to other factors, experts say. Interestingly, drinking coffee is often linked with habits like smoking and less exercise. However, the fact that benefits are still seen after accounting for these factors hints that coffee might really have a positive effect. Experts also warn that adding too much cream or sugar can negate some of the health benefits of coffee, so keep that in mind next time you order your cup of Joe.
Daily Mail
21-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Study pinpoints exact number of coffees per day that can cut the risk of sudden cardiac death
A coffee a day might be enough to keep the doctor away. For US researchers have found coffee lovers tend to have healthier hearts, putting them at lower risk of cardiac death. And the benefits can be achieved by drinking just one cup a day, they claimed—but only if they drink it black. Those who drank between two to three cups, however, saw the most benefits, slashing their risk by almost a fifth. The findings, from the study of more than 46,000 people, add to the growing body of evidence highlighting the drink's health benefits. Professor Fang Fang Zhang, a nutrition expert at Tufts University in Boston, said: 'Coffee is among the most-consumed beverages in the world, and with nearly half of American adults reporting drinking at least one cup per day, it's important for us to know what it might mean for health.' Some research has already linked coffee to reducing the risk of heart disease, heart failure and strokes, while other studies report it prolongs life. But medics remain divided, warning that excessive amounts of coffee—packed full of caffeine—can actually damage the heart. The new study, in The Journal of Nutrition, tracked the daily coffee consumption of 46,332 people over the age of 20. Over a follow up of 11 years, they found black coffee and coffee with low levels of added sugar and saturated fat—like milk or cream—had a 14 per cent lower risk of death compared to no coffee consumption. But one cup of black coffee a day, specifically, slashed the risk of death including cardiovascular death, by 16 per cent. Those who drank between two and three a day saw the risk lowered by 17 per cent. However, researchers noted that the benefits peaked at three cups a day. They also found that those who added high amounts of sweeteners and dairy to their coffee did not experience the same benefits. Researchers acknowledged, however, that the coffee consumption was self-reported by volunteers, so may have been underreported, limiting the findings. It was also assessed without detailing the roast used and preparation methods. NHS data shows a rise in the number of younger adults suffering from heart attacks over the past decade. The biggest increase (95 per cent) was recorded in the 25-29 year-old demographic, though as numbers of patients are low even small spikes can look dramatic Under NHS guidance, consuming more than four cups a day can increase blood pressure. Around 2million people in the UK are diagnosed with some form of heart disease, according to Government figures. But charities estimate that a further six million have undiagnosed high blood pressure—one of the leading risk factors for stroke and heart attack. Heart disease describes a range of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. It's often caused by fatty deposits in the arteries that can make it harder for blood and oxygen to flow properly through the vessels and to and from the heart. This increases the risk of a blockage, and therefore stroke or heart attack. Last year, alarming data revealed that premature deaths from cardiovascular problems, such as heart attacks and strokes, had hit their highest level in more than a decade. MailOnline has previously highlighted how the number of young people, under 40, in England being treated for heart attacks by the NHS is on the rise. Cases of heart attacks, heart failure and strokes among the under-75s has tumbled since the 1960s thanks to plummeting smoking rates, advanced surgical techniques and breakthroughs such as stents and statins. But now, rising obesity rates, and its catalogue of associated health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes, are thought to be one of the major contributing factors.
UPI
19-06-2025
- Health
- UPI
Coffee may help you live longer, but skip the extra sugar
Drinking at least one cup of caffeinated coffee per day was linked to a 16% lower risk of premature death from any cause, researchers found. Photo by Andrea Piacquadio/ Pexels June 18 (UPI) -- Drinking a cup or two of coffee every day may help you live longer -- but only if you skip the heavy cream and sugar, new research suggests. The research, published in The Journal of Nutrition, found that black coffee or coffee with just a little sugar and saturated fat was tied to a lower risk of premature death. But when people drank coffee with lots of sweeteners or cream, the health benefits disappeared. "Coffee is among the most-consumed beverages in the world, and with nearly half of American adults reporting drinking at least one cup per day, it's important for us to know what it might mean for health," senior author Fang Fang Zhang of Tufts University said in a news release. Researchers looked at data from more than 46,000 U.S. adults who took part in national health surveys between 1999 and 2018. They analyzed what kind of coffee people drank -- caffeinated or decaf -- and how much sugar and saturated fat they added. They compared that data to deaths from any cause, as well as heart disease and cancer. The results? Drinking at least one cup of caffeinated coffee per day was linked to a 16% lower risk of premature death from any cause. Drinking two to three cups a day was linked to a 17% lower risk. No clear association was found between coffee and cancer deaths. Researchers said people who drank black coffee or added coffee with low amounts of added sugar and saturated fat seemed to benefit the most. In the study, low sugar was defined as about one-half teaspoon per 8-ounce cup. Low fat, meanwhile, was defined as about 1 gram per cup - equal to 5 tablespoons of 2% milk or 1 tablespoon of light cream. "Few studies have examined how coffee additives could impact the link between coffee consumption and mortality risk, and our study is among the first to quantify how much sweetener and saturated fat are being added," added lead author Bingjie Zhou, a recent doctoral graduate at Tufts. The study was based on self-reported food data, which may not be fully accurate. It also found fewer people drank decaf, which may explain why no strong link was found between decaf coffee and early death. Still, the findings support the idea that coffee can be part of a healthy diet -- just be mindful of how much sugar and cream you add! More information Johns Hopkins Medicine has more on why coffee is good for you. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
India.com
18-06-2025
- Health
- India.com
Drink Black Coffee Daily? Science Says It May Help You Live Longer, But DONT Add This
If you're a fan of black coffee, here's some news that might make your next sip even more satisfying, your morning habit could actually help you live longer. According to a recent observational study published in The Journal of Nutrition, drinking black coffee in moderation is associated with a lower risk of death from all causes, especially heart-related issues. Coffee with a Catch: Not All Cups Are Created Equal Researchers at Tufts University found that the potential health benefits of coffee depend heavily on how it's prepared — particularly how much sugar and saturated fat is added. In short: plain black coffee? Good. Coffee loaded with sugar, cream, or flavored syrups? Not so much. The Sweet Truth: Less Sugar, More Life The study revealed that drinking 1–2 cups of caffeinated black coffee daily was linked to a 14% lower risk of death from any cause compared to those who didn't drink coffee at all. This benefit was strongest when the coffee was consumed with little to no sugar or saturated fat. Senior study author Dr Fang Fang Zhang emphasised that coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, and with nearly half of American adults drinking at least one cup per day, understanding its health effects is critical. According to Zhang, coffee contains powerful bioactive compounds, but those benefits can be reduced if the cup is filled with cream and sugar. While 2-3 cups of coffee a day were linked to a 17% reduced risk of death from any cause, the benefits plateaued after that. Drinking more than three cups didn't show additional advantages and even seemed to weaken the connection with reduced cardiovascular mortality. Coffee and Heart Health Interestingly, the most significant benefits of black coffee were seen in terms of cardiovascular health. Drinking black coffee regularly may help reduce the risk of dying from heart-related conditions, making it not just a wake-up ritual but potentially a heart-smart choice too. No Link to Cancer Mortality One surprising finding: there was no significant association between coffee consumption and a reduced risk of cancer-related deaths. This highlights that while coffee may support heart health and overall longevity, it isn't a magic shield against all diseases. What This Means for You If you're looking to make your morning cup healthier, consider these quick tips: 1. Stick to black or lightly sweetened coffee. 2. Avoid artificial creamers and sugar-loaded syrups. 3. Opt for plant-based milks if needed, with no added sugar. A moderate amount of black coffee (1–3 cups daily) could play a small but meaningful role in boosting your longevity, especially when enjoyed without sugar or heavy fats. So the next time you brew a plain cup of joe, remember: it's not just your morning pick-me-up, it might be your heart's best friend. (This article is meant for informational purposes only and must not be considered a substitute for advice provided by qualified medical professionals.)
