BARCELONA, Spain—A new study found that high caffeine intake is related to ventricular arrhythmias.
The study assessed both adherence to the Mediterranean diet—known for its beneficial role in mortality, coronary artery disease, lipid metabolism and blood pressure—and coffee and caffeine intake, and their relationship to atrial fibrillation (AF).
Interviewers investigated coffee consumption and other sources of caffeine (i.e. soda drinks, cola, chocolate, tea). Coffee consumption was specifically estimated and evaluated for type of coffee consumed (filtered or boiled), number of daily cup of espresso coffee, American coffee, decaffeinated and cappuccino. Coffee intake was divided in 4 categories: low habitual (from 1 cup/day), medium habitual (2-3 cups/day), heavy habitual (more than 3 cups/day) and non-habitual (0 cup/day).
Results showed that, although total calorie intake was similar in patients with arrhythmia and in control patients, adherence to Mediterranean Diet was significantly lower in patients that developed AF, and caffeine and coffee intake was higher.
