The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM)Habitual Coffee, Tea, and Caffeine Consumption, Circulating Metabolites, and the Risk of Cardiometabolic Multimorbidity

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This prospective study from the UK Biobank examines the relationship between habitual coffee, tea, and caffeine consumption and the risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CM). The research investigates potential associations between these beverages, caffeine intake, and the development of CM, defined as the coexistence of at least two cardiometabolic conditions. The study also analyzes metabolic biomarkers that may underlie these relationships.

Study Design:

• Participants: 172,315 (caffeine analysis) and 188,091 (tea and coffee analysis) individuals from the UK Biobank
• Metabolite measurements: 168 metabolites measured in 88,204 and 96,393 participants
• CM definition: Coexistence of at least 2 conditions – type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and stroke

Key Findings:

• Nonlinear inverse associations observed between coffee, tea, and caffeine intake and new-onset CM risk
• Moderate coffee (3 drinks/day) or caffeine (200-300 mg/day) consumption linked to lowest CM risk
• Hazard ratios: 0.519 (95% CI: 0.417-0.647) for moderate coffee intake; 0.593 (95% CI: 0.499-0.704) for moderate caffeine intake
• Moderate coffee or caffeine intake inversely associated with risks at all CM developmental stages
• 80 to 97 metabolites identified as associated with both beverage/caffeine intake and incident CM
• Implicated metabolites: lipid components within very low-density lipoprotein, histidine, and glycoprotein acetyls

HCN Medical Memo
Although this study presents compelling associations between moderate coffee and caffeine intake and reduced cardiometabolic multimorbidity risk, it’s important to interpret these findings cautiously. The observed relationships and identified metabolites provide a foundation for future research but do not establish causality. Clinicians should consider these results alongside individual patient factors and existing guidelines when discussing dietary habits and cardiometabolic health.

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