Coffee consumption vs. caffeine avoidance: cardiac ectopy, daily steps, and sleep impacts

Summary: A prospective, randomized, case-crossover trial studied the acute health effects of caffeinated coffee consumption in 100 ambulatory adults.

Participants were monitored using continuous electrocardiogram devices, wrist-mounted accelerometers, and ongoing glucose monitoring systems for 14 days. They received daily text messages instructing them to either consume caffeinated coffee or abstain from caffeine.

The primary outcome was the mean number of daily premature atrial contractions. Results indicated that caffeinated coffee consumption didn’t lead to significantly more daily premature atrial contractions compared to caffeine avoidance. However, it was associated with a higher number of daily premature ventricular contractions, increased daily steps, and reduced nightly sleep.

Article: Acute Effects of Coffee Consumption on Health among Ambulatory Adults – New England Journal of Medicine (link to abstract – $ for full-text)

Commentaries:

What to know about new research on coffee and heart risks – Associated Press

CRAVE Trials Offers Most Comprehensive Overview Yet of Impact of Coffee, Caffeine Intake – HCP Live

Acute Effects of Coffee Consumption on Health – American College of Cardiology