• resource from 9NEWS

Your morning coffee could be doing more for your health than you realise.

New research from The University of Adelaide has revealed that drinking a cup of coffee a day may protect against atrial fibrillation (AF), also known as an irregular heartbeat.

It’s a common heart condition that affects one in three people in their lifetime and can lead to heart failure, stroke, and even death.

About half a million Australians are living with AF, with an estimated 30 per cent of whom are undiagnosed.

That’s approximately 150,000 people who have the condition – which is linked to high blood pressure, obesity and other heart diseases – and have no idea.

But coffee could help reduce AF’s effects.

Researchers conducted a randomised clinical trial called the DECAF (Does Eliminating Coffee Avoid Fibrillation) trial with 200 AF patients from Australia and abroad.

Half were told to give up coffee for six months, while the rest were told to drink at least one cup a day.

Both groups were monitored for any episodes of AF, which were verified by physicians.

The results were “astounding”, according to first author Professor Christopher X. Wong from the University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital.

“We found the coffee drinkers experienced a significant reduction in AF compared to those who avoided coffee and caffeine,” he said.

“This is surprising as it goes against the common assumption by doctors and patients that coffee worsens heart rhythm disorders such as AF.”

The DECAF trial participants who drank coffee daily showed a 39 per cent reduction in the risk of recurrent AF episodes.

It may be good news for Australians with AF who have previously been told by doctors to limit their coffee intake for the sake of their heart health.

“This trial suggests that coffee is not only safe but likely to be protective,” Wong said.

Senior author Professor Gregory Marcus from the Division of Cardiology at UCSF explained that caffeine is a diuretic, which could potentially reduce blood pressure and lessen AF risk.

He also noted that coffee increases physical activity and contains ingredients with anti-inflammatory properties, both of which could have positive impacts on AF patients.

“Based on these results, coffee-drinking patients with AF can safely continue to enjoy their coffee,” Wong added.

“Furthermore, it may be worth investigating whether AF patients who don’t drink coffee should actually consider starting.”