WHY THOSE WHO DRINK THE MOST COFFEE APPEAR TO BE AT INCREASED RISK OFDISEASE - A MODEST PROPOSAL

A sample of 2,706 adults, considered representative of the United Stat es, was interviewed by telephone about coffee consumption and about ex periences and personal characteristics that have been considered antec edents or risk factors of vascular diseases and malignancies. Consumpt ion 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-containi ng coffee consumption averaged 429 mg of caffeine in coffee each day a nd were more likely than others to smoke cigarettes, and less likely t o take vitamin supplements and to consume a ''healthy'' diet (i.e., co ntaining large amounts of fiber, vitamins and cruciferous vegetables, and small amounts of fat). Thus, the heightened risk of disease someti mes associated with coffee consumption might reflect the characteristi cs and disease-promoting activities of some drinkers and not necessari ly their consumption of caffeine and coffee. The findings of this stud y are consistent with the hypothesis that drinkers of relatively large amounts of coffee are less likely than others to feel the need for he alth-promoting behaviors.