Cardiovascular diseases, damage to blood vessels and their consequences, such as myocardial infarction and stroke, are among the main causes of death in the general population. In patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, these risks are much greater due to both these pathologies themselves and some of the treatments used to combat them, especially those derived from cortisone.
To prevent or reduce these vascular problems, doctors’ recommendations have focused above all on avoiding risk factors, which includes stopping inflammation, reducing cortisone medications and improving lifestyle by following advice such as not smoking and controlling blood pressure. cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Now, a new study published in the journal Rheumatology indicates that consuming more caffeine can improve heart health.
The researchers from the Sapienza University of Rome (Italy) involved in this study believe that patients can improve vascular health by doing something that is really enjoyable, since the results they have obtained in the laboratory suggest that caffeine, present in the Coffee, tea and cocoa actively help endothelial progenitor cells, the group of cells that contribute to regenerating the lining of blood vessels and are involved in vascular growth.
A dietary intervention to protect blood vessels
A diet rich in vitamin D (found in oily fish and eggs) and A (found in many fruits) and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and low in sodium, appears to play a key role in reducing the inflammatory load, but scientists also believe have asked about the impact of caffeine.
Caffeine, present in coffee, tea and cocoa, helps cells that help regenerate the lining of blood vessels
In addition to the well-known stimulating effect on the body, caffeine also exerts an anti-inflammatory effect because it binds to receptors expressed on the surface of immune cells. The effect of caffeine consumption on cardiovascular health has been widely investigated, with conflicting results.
The researchers studied 31 lupus patients without traditional cardiovascular risk factors using a seven-day dietary questionnaire and after a week they drew blood from the patients to measure the health of their blood vessels, allowing them to see that those who consumed caffeine had better vascular health, measured through the endothelial cells that form the important inner layer of blood vessels. The researchers have pointed out, however, that it is necessary to confirm the results through a longitudinal study that evaluates the real impact of coffee consumption on the course of the disease.
