One Cup Of Coffee A Day Could Keep Atrial Fibrillation From Coming Back

In a first-of-its-kind randomized trial, patients who kept drinking java aft cardioversion were little apt to acquisition recurrent atrial fibrillation, upending decades of be aware against caffeine for bosom hit disorders.

Study: Caffeinated Coffee Consumption aliases Abstinence to Reduce Atrial Fibrillation. Image Credit: Iryna Tsiareshka / Shutterstock

In a caller article published successful the Journal of nan American Medical Association connected November 9, 2025, researchers examined nan effect of java depletion connected nan recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AFib) successful patients who had successfully undergone electrical cardioversion for persistent AF aliases atrial flutter pinch a history of AF.  

Their findings bespeak that, contrary to anterior assumptions, drinking java whitethorn beryllium associated pinch a little consequence of AFib recurrence, pinch a hazard ratio of 0.61 (95% CI, 0.42 to 0.89; P = .01), and nary summation successful adverse events complete a six-month study period.

Global Burden and Mechanisms of Atrial Fibrillation

AFib is nan astir prevalent bosom hit upset affecting millions globally, pinch incidence expected to emergence owed to aging populations and improved detection. It is characterized by an irregular, often accelerated heartbeat that tin lead to bosom nonaccomplishment and stroke. The information originates successful nan atria, wherever disorganized electrical signals origin quivering alternatively than coordinated contractions.

Coffee arsenic a Suspected Arrhythmia Trigger

Because of caffeine’s stimulant effects, java has agelong been considered a imaginable AFib trigger. Many clinicians counsel patients to limit aliases debar it, assuming it increases nan consequence of arrhythmias. However, this cognition is being reevaluated arsenic caller information emerge.

Emerging Evidence connected Coffee and Heart Rhythm

Recent tests person shown that java depletion does not summation premature atrial contractions, a known trigger of AFib. Several observational studies person moreover linked mean java intake pinch a reduced consequence of AFib. To supply causal evidence, researchers designed nan Does Eliminating Coffee Avoid Fibrillation? (DECAF) randomized objective proceedings to trial whether continued java depletion versus abstinence affects AFib recurrence aft cardioversion.

DECAF Trial Design and Methodology

The DECAF proceedings was conducted astatine 5 hospitals successful Australia, Canada, and nan United States, enrolling 200 adults aged 21 years aliases older pinch persistent AFib aliases atrial flutter and a history of AFib. After successful cardioversion, participants were randomized to either proceed drinking astatine slightest 1 cup of caffeinated java regular aliases abstain wholly from java and different caffeine sources for a play of six months.

Follow-up visits occurred astatine one, three, and six months, either successful personification aliases remotely. Adherence, adverse events, and AFib recurrence were tracked, pinch galore participants utilizing wearable ECG monitors. The superior endpoint was nan clip to clinically confirmed recurrence of AFib aliases atrial flutter lasting 30 seconds aliases more.

Principal Findings and Statistical Outcomes

Baseline characteristics were balanced betwixt groups, pinch a median intake of astir 1 cup per day. At six months, AFib aliases atrial flutter recurrence occurred successful 47% of java drinkers and 64% of abstainers. Caffeinated java depletion was linked to a 39% little hazard of recurrence (HR 0.61; 95% CI 0.42 to 0.89; P = .01).

Secondary analyses showed akin trends for AFib unsocial and less flutter recurrences, though nan second was not statistically significant. Adverse events and hospitalizations were akin betwixt groups, pinch nary deaths reported.

Clinical Implications and Study Limitations

This randomized proceedings demonstrates that mean intake of caffeinated java aft cardioversion whitethorn trim nan recurrence of AFib aliases atrial flutter. The findings situation long-held beliefs that java promotes arrhythmia and align pinch anterior observational information suggesting neutral aliases beneficial effects.

Potential mechanisms see adenosine receptor blockade, anti-inflammatory effects, and imaginable promotion of beingness activity. Strengths see its randomized creation and accordant sensitivity results; however, limitations see a mini sample size, deficiency of blinding, and self-reported adherence. These results should not beryllium extrapolated to high-dose caffeine aliases power drinks.