Why those who drink the most coffee appear to be at increased risk of disease. A modest proposal

A sample of 2,706 adults, considered representative of the United States, was interviewed by telephone about coffee consumption and about experiences and personal characteristics that have been considered antecedents or risk factors of vascular diseases and malignancies. Consumption of more than 5.6 cups per day placed a person in the top quartile of total daily coffee. People in the top quartile of caffeine‐containing coffee consumption averaged 429 mg of caffeine in coffee each day and were more likely than others to smoke cigarettes, and less likely to take vitamin supplements and to consume a “healthy” diet (i.e., containing large amounts of fiber, vitamins and cruciferous vegetables, and small amounts of fat). Thus, the heightened risk of disease sometimes associated with coffee consumption might reflect the characteristics and disease‐promoting activities of some drinkers and not necessarily their consumption of caffeine and coffee. The findings of this study are consistent with the hypothesis that ...