Forskning

May 1, 2013

Coffee consumption and health-related quality of life

E Lopez-Garcia et al, 2013, Coffee consumption and health-related quality of life, Clinical Nutrition, article in press

ABSTRACT

Background and aims: Understanding the effect of coffee on health-related quality of life (HRQL) would contribute to explain the mechanisms of the long-term effect of coffee on health. The aim of this study was to examine the association between coffee consumption and HRQL.

Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted in 2008e2010 among 11,423 individuals representative of the Spanish population aged >18 years. Habitual coffee and food consumption was assessed with a validated diet history. HRQL was measured using the Spanish version of the SF-12 questionnaire. The analyses were performed using linear regression and adjusted for the main confounders.

Results: Among men, no association was found between coffee consumption and the physical and mental composite summaries (PCS and MCS) of the SF-12. Among women, compared to those who did not consume coffee, habitual coffee drinkers showed similar scores on the PCS [beta coefficients (p value) for 1, 2, 3, and >4 cups/day: 0.49 (0.20), 0.62 (0.21), 0.50 (0.45), and 0.36 (0.59)]; but slightly better scores on the MCS [beta (p value): 1.58 (<0.001), 1.58 (0.004), 0.80 (0.31), and 1.22 (0.10)]. These results reflect mostly the consumption of non-filtered caffeinated coffee. Tea consumption and total caffeine intake did not show an association with HRQL.

Conclusion: We found no evidence of an adverse effect of coffee on HRQL. These results are consistent with the null association between this beverage and several chronic diseases and all-cause mortality reported in many studies. The weak positive association of coffee with the MCS found among women needs further confirmation.