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Coffee, caffeine and hemostasis: a review
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Erasmus University Medical School, Rotterdam.
Insights
Coffee consumption may increase thrombotic tendencies, impacting blood clotting. Further research, including randomized controlled trials, is needed to confirm coffee
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Science
- Haemostasis Research
- Nutritional Epidemiology
Background:
- The relationship between coffee consumption and cardiovascular disease necessitates understanding its effects on haemostasis.
- Existing evidence on coffee's impact on blood clotting is conflicting and inconclusive.
- Haemostatic variables are crucial in assessing thrombotic tendencies and cardiovascular risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current evidence on the effects of coffee and caffeine on haemostatic variables.
- To evaluate the potential link between coffee consumption and an increased risk of thrombosis.
- To identify gaps in the research and suggest future study directions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of existing literature on coffee, caffeine, and haemostasis.
- Analysis of studies examining fibrinogen levels and platelet activation markers (e.g., beta-thromboglobulin).
- Assessment of the reliability and consistency of findings across different studies.
Main Results:
- Available evidence suggests coffee consumption may unfavorably affect haemostasis, potentially enhancing thrombotic tendencies.
- Findings on fibrinogen levels and in vivo platelet activation (beta-thromboglobulin) appear most reliable.
- Conflicting data exists, highlighting the need for more robust research.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence indicates a potential pro-thrombotic effect of coffee, but findings are not definitive.
- More high-quality research, particularly randomized controlled trials in humans, is required.
- Further investigation is needed to understand the clinical significance of coffee's impact on the haemostatic system at commonly consumed levels.
Abstract:
The effects of coffee and caffeine on haemostatic variables are reviewed. The potential relationship between coffee and cardiovascular disease warrants the study of possible links between coffee and haemostasis. The presently available evidence in favour or against such an association, however, is not very convincing and sometimes even conflicting. The findings on fibrinogen level and platelet in vivo activation as measured by plasma beta-thromboglobulin, seem to be the most reliable. If anything, these reports indicate an unfavourable effect of coffee, i.e. coffee may enhance thrombotic tendencies. Before more definite conclusions on the interference of coffee use with the haemostatic system can be made, more data are needed. In particular, randomized studies of coffee and caffeine intake in humans are indicated to assess the impact and the potential significance of coffee in such quantities as are commonly used by millions of people.