Daily Coffee Intake May Lower Risk of Irregular Heartbeat

A groundbreaking study has found that a daily cup of coffee may significantly reduce the risk of atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common heart rhythm disorder linked to stroke and heart failure. Contrary to long-held medical advice discouraging caffeine use among heart patients, researchers from UC San Francisco and the University of Adelaide discovered that participants who consumed one cup of caffeinated coffee daily had a 39% lower chance of AFib recurrence.

The DECAF trial (Does Eliminating Coffee Avoid Fibrillation?), published in JAMA and funded by the National Institutes of Health, involved 200 regular coffee drinkers undergoing electrical cardioversion. Over six months, those who continued coffee consumption showed fewer AFib episodes than those who avoided caffeine. Scientists suggest that coffee’s anti-inflammatory properties, blood pressure–lowering effects, and substitution for sugary beverages may contribute to its protective role against heart rhythm disturbances.

10-11-2025