14 Comments
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Connie's avatar

When I read the article about drinking 5 cups of coffee I thought instantly of you. Your last paragraph is priceless.

Michelle Enmark, DDS's avatar

As did I, Connie! I was hoping he would write something about this one!

Bridget Cresto's avatar

Sheesh! I used to drink a couple cups a day. I LOVE coffee! It is a huge quality of life thing for me. Just a couple of weeks ago I got an A-Fib diagnosis so quit coffee. I have been suffering ever since!!!! Is this article my hall pass for going back to coffee. My a-fib is mild.

J Lee MD PhD's avatar

I just had my second cup of black coffee for today at 7:00 a.m. and that's my standard daily dose. I enjoyed your article. I think most of what is published about coffee drinking's possibly associated health effects, whether good or bad, is bullshit -- I am retired M.D. (surgeon) and licensed since 1975. I do not have A fib but I stopped all alcohol use a few years ago to at least remove that risk factor from my situation at age 83 now. Vinay has given us good, continuing insights into the debacle defined by the idiotic publication of useless blarney; I am pessimistic that we will ever get reliable information about the health risks of ingesting many foods or beverages on a chronic basis.

Dharini Bhammar's avatar

Wait so should I or should I not drink my coffee 😂

Melissa Fitzpatrick's avatar

I suspect the conclusion on the observational studies should be more along the lines of "people who can tolerate 5 cups of coffee per day have lower rates of..." vs "5 cups of coffee per day lowers your risk of..." An RCT might have a completely different outcome. I know if I was put in a RCT where I had to drink 5 cups a day I would have to drop out. I can barely tolerate 1.

Ernest N. Curtis's avatar

Unfortunately, it is logistically impossible to carry out an RCT on any nutritional subject in a free-living population. That is why we will continue to get these nonsensical and unscientific claims concerning food and drink that we choose to consume. Unfalsifiable theories are guaranteed to sell very well. Just look at the best seller lists for "non-fiction" books over the past fifty years.

David Newman's avatar

EXCELLENT! An honestly written guideline that embraces (and derives a research agenda from) uncertainty would be such a breath of fresh air. From your Substack to the AHA's ears, please.

Michelle Enmark, DDS's avatar

Completely agree, David Newman! The AHA needs repeated exposure to Dr. VP! They’re useless and completely unreliable! Hopefully someday they’ll regain their common sense and maybe, just maybe, after that returns, they’ll regain a portion of their credibility.

Tina C's avatar

I drink tea, not coffee, should I start coffee now?

Sheila Crook-Lockwood's avatar

Exactly! I love tea and hate coffee!

Sheila Crook-Lockwood's avatar

I don't like coffee. Hope I don't get afib since I still won't like coffee!

Snarling Fifi's avatar

Excellent conclusion. Complete with a "finally."

I would LOVE to edit one of your articles. Kid in a candy shop.