Dietary Research on Coffee: Improving Adjustment for Confounding
David R Thomas1, Ian D Hodges2
1Social and Community Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
Current Developments in Nutrition
|January 16, 2020
Summary
Coffee consumption may lower mortality, especially for non-smokers. Studies suggest benefits when accounting for smoking and diet, but more research is needed on sugar
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Meta-analyses link higher coffee intake to lower mortality.
- Some reviews associate coffee with increased lung cancer and hypertension risks.
- Inconsistencies necessitate a critical review of cohort study methodologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- Critically evaluate cohort studies on coffee consumption and mortality.
- Focus on confounding factors: smoking, diet, and alcohol.
- Identify methodological improvements for future research.
Main Methods:
- Narrative review of 36 cohort study samples.
- Focused on the adequacy of adjustment for confounding variables.
- Assessed adjustment for smoking, healthy/unhealthy foods, and alcohol.
Main Results:
- Many studies inadequately adjusted for smoking.
- 1-5 cups daily linked to lower mortality in never-smokers and studies adjusting for smoking and diet.
- Health impacts of sugar-sweetened coffee remain under-investigated.
Conclusions:
- Future coffee-health research should stratify by smoking status.
- Adequate adjustment for smoking, diet, and added sugar is crucial.
- Clarify the role of coffee in mortality and disease risk, considering lifestyle factors.
Keywords:
added sugaradjustmentcoffeecohort studiesconfounding variablescovariatesdiethealthy foodsmethodssmokingMore Related Videos
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