Tea and coffee can improve your heart's health by suppressing inflammation

This is a piece of research which builds on previous studies and adds to mounting evidence which shows that caffeine in tea and coffee is good for overall health. This is due to its anti-inflammatory action as it binds with receptors on immune cells to suppress the production of inflammatory chemicals.

The study I'm referring to, the result of new research from Sapienza University in Rome and published in the journal Rheumatology, looked at 31 patients with lupus which is a condition in which the immune system attacks its own tissues raising the risk of heart disease.

In the study, it was found that caffeine appeared to promote the growth and regeneration of endothelial cells which line the inside of blood vessels in the heart. Having more of the cells helps to repair blood vessels and prevents the build-up of fatty plaque in the arteries.

This study is the first according to the report in The Times to "demonstrate a protective role of caffeine".

Scientists have been debating the role of caffeine in heart health because some thought that it might cause heart palpitations and increased blood pressure.

However, as mentioned, the evidence now points to benefits to heart health for both coffee and tea drinkers.

The experts have suggested that drinking 2 or 3 cups a day could now be added to traditional recommendations such as losing weight to help improve heart health.

We can say with some conviction that daily tea and coffee drinkers have better heart health because of the anti-inflammatory benefits of caffeine.

Dr. Fulvia Ceccarelli, the study leader, said it highlighted the "possible role of diet in controlling the disease". They added that "It will be necessary to confirm the results to a longitudinal study, aimed at assessing the real impact of coffee consumption on the disease course."

To do with cats? Of course: better health by cat caregivers leads to better cat caregiving. Simples...

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P.S. please forgive the occasional typo. These articles are written at breakneck speed using Dragon Dictate. I have to prepare them in around 20 mins. Also, sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified. And, I rely on scientific studies but they are not 100% reliable. Finally, (!) I often express an OPINION on the news. Please share yours in a comment.