Coffee and cardiovascular risk: epidemiological findings in Austria

The results of studies on the connection between the consumption of coffee and cardiovascular risk factors have been conflicting, particularly concerning serum lipids. We examined several associations in a representative sample of 1203 men and women between 25 and 64 years of age in the state of Vorarlberg, Austria. Coffee consumption correlated significantly (p less than 0.001) with the number of cigarettes smoked per day (men: r = 0.30; women: r = 0.26) and the prevalence of smokers (men: r = 0.27; women: r = 0.25). We found no adverse effect of coffee on blood lipids or lipoproteins. The lack of evidence was independent of smoking habits in both sexes. We suggest that the lack of evidence is due to the usual method of preparing coffee in Vorarlberg, ie percolated or as 'Espresso'.