Is Your Coffee Helping or Hurting You?
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Introduction
Coffee is one of the most loved drinks in the world. Many of us start our day with a hot cup, believing it wakes us up and helps us focus. But how does coffee really affect our health in the short term? A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine set out to find the answer.
The Study
This study followed 100 healthy adults for two weeks. Each person was told on certain days to drink coffee and on other days to avoid it. They wore special devices to track heart rhythms, physical activity, sleep, and blood sugar. The goal was to see what changes happened on coffee days compared to no-coffee days.
Heart Health
The researchers looked closely at small, early heartbeats called “premature contractions.” These are usually harmless but may be linked to future heart problems. The study found that coffee did not lead to more early beats from the top chambers of the heart (called atrial contractions). However, people did have more early beats from the bottom chambers (ventricular contractions) after drinking coffee—especially if they had more than one cup a day.
Steps and Activity
One of the surprising findings was that people walked more on coffee days. On average, they took over 1,000 more steps. This may be because caffeine gives you more energy. The increase in steps could be one reason why other studies have found that coffee drinkers live longer.
Sleep Effects
As expected, coffee had a clear impact on sleep. People who drank coffee slept about 36 minutes less at night than when they avoided it. That’s nearly half an hour less rest—something to think about if you already struggle with sleep.
Blood Sugar Levels
The study also checked blood sugar levels using sensors. They found no major difference in blood sugar between coffee and non-coffee days. This suggests that coffee might not raise or lower your sugar much in the short term.
What It Means
This study gives a real-world look at how coffee affects our daily lives. The results show that coffee doesn't seem to harm the heart in a serious way in healthy people. It may help you move more, but it can also reduce how much you sleep.
The effects may also depend on your body. Some people process caffeine faster than others. Those who break it down slowly may feel stronger effects, including worse sleep or more heart flutters.
Conclusion
So, should you stop drinking coffee? Not necessarily. For most healthy adults, a cup or two seems fine—and may even have benefits. But if you notice trouble sleeping or feel strange heartbeats, it might be smart to cut back, especially in the afternoon or evening.
As always, listen to your body. And if you’re unsure, talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.