Coffee addicts, beware: Your daily fix may raise stroke risk

Coffee is the most favoured drink in India. Who doesn't like coffee ?!! In most countries around the world, more than fifty per cent of people consume coffee or tea. According to a report by the Coffee Board, Indians consumed 91,000 tonnes of coffee in 2023 !! The value of the coffee market in India is not less. In 2024, there were $ 51 billion worth coffee. Coffee for South Indians is a nector.

Studies have shown many benefits in drinking two cups of coffee every day. According to a study published in the American College of Cardiology magazine in 2022, there was a reduction in heart attack, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease in persons who consumed two cups of coffee. Anything taken in excess amount always comes with hazards.

According to a study published in one of the prestigious magazines of the World Stroke Organization, people consuming more than four cups of coffee per day has increased risk of stroke.

One of the largest studies on stroke in the world, the "INTERSTROKE", was conducted from 2007 to 2015. In this study, treatments and results were analyzed by various types of stroke in 26,950 patients across 32 countries in 5 continents. Based on the results of this study, investigators of the InterStroke study concluded that high caffeine consumption of more than four cups per day was associated with higher risk of ischemic stroke . The problem of clotting in the brain blood vessels was 37 percent higher in patients who consumed more than four cups of coffee per day compared to those who consumed in moderation. However we have a good news here. Stroke risk was lesser in patients who consumed tea regularly. They had 19% reduced risk of ischemic stroke compared to those patients who didn't consume tea. Brain bleeding risk didn't change significantly in all the subgroups. However, coffee addicts had higher BMI (obesity), poor diet and exercise compared to controls.

Coffee addiction is harmful and may lead to increased risk of ischemic stroke. Tea consumption in various forms as green tea, lemon tea or milk tea is associated with reduced risk of stroke. However coffee consumption in moderation (2cups or less per day) is associated with reduced risk of heart attack, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes.

Prevention is better than cure. Control your habits and lead a healthy lifestyle so that you can stay away from life threatening illnesses such as stroke.

Dr. Suryanarayana Sharma P.M. Senior Neurologist and stroke specialist, Apollo Hospital Bannerghatta Road Bangalore Secretary, Karnataka Stroke Foundation, Bangalore.