April 8/Heart Disease Weekly -- "Data on the association between coffee consumption and risk of stroke are sparse. We assessed the association between coffee consumption and the risk of stroke over 24 years of follow-up in women," scientists writing in the journal Circulation report.

"Methods and Results: We analyzed data from a prospective cohort of 83,076 women in the Nurses' Health Study without history of stroke, coronary heart disease, diabetes or cancer at baseline. Coffee consumption was assessed first in 1980 and then repeatedly every 2-4 years, with follow-up through 2004. We documented 2,280 strokes, of which 426 were hemorrhagic, 1,224 were ischemic, and 630 were undetermined. In multivariable Cox regression models with adjustment for age, smoking status, body mass index, physical activity, alcohol intake, menopausal status, hormone replacement therapy, aspirin use, and dietary factors, the relative risks (RRs) of stroke across categories of coffee consumption (<1 cup per month, 1 per month to 4 per week, 5-7 per week, 2-3 per day, and >=4 per day) were 1, 0.98 (95% CI, 0.84 to 1.15), 0.88 (95% CI, 0.77 to 1.02), 0.81 (95% CI, 0.70 to 0.95), and 0.80 (95% CI, 0.64 to 0.98) (P for trend=0.003). After further adjustment for high blood pressure, hypercholesterolemia, and type 2 diabetes, the inverse association remained significant. The association was stronger among never and past smokers (RR for >=4 cups a day versus <1 cup a month, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.39 to 0.84) than among current smokers (RR for >=4 cups a day versus <1 cup a month, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.63 to 1.48). Other drinks containing caffeine such as tea and caffeinated soft drinks were not associated with stroke. Decaffeinated coffee was associated with a trend toward lower risk of stroke after adjustment for caffeinated coffee consumption (RR for >=2 cups a day versus <1 cup a month, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.73 to 1.08; P for trend=0.05). Long-term coffee consumption was not associated with an increased risk of stroke in women," wrote E. Lopezgarcia and colleagues, Autonomous University, Medical Department.

The researchers concluded, "In contrast, our data suggest that coffee consumption may modestly reduce risk of stroke. (Circulation. 2009; 119:1116-1123.)'."

Lopezgarcia and colleagues published their study in Circulation ("Coffee Consumption and Risk of Stroke in Women." Circulation, 2009;119(8):1116-1123).

Additional information can be obtained by contacting E. Lopezgarcia, Autonomous University of Madrid, School Medical, Dept. of Prevention Med & Public Health, Avenue Arzobispo Morcillo 4, Madrid 28029, Spain.

From the April 13, 2009, Prepared Foods E-dition