Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous research has linked high coffee consumption to an increased risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aimed to assess the relationship between coffee consumption and MetS components among Saudi adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed on adults who met at least three criteria for a MetS diagnosis. Data concerning demographics, lifestyle, sleeping patterns, medical health, anthropometric measurements, habitual coffee drinking, and lab levels for HDL-C, LDL-C, TC, TGs, HbA1c, and FBG were collected. RESULTS: Of the 95 participants, 51% were women, 75.8% were >50 years old, 75.8% were obese, 62% were used to practicing physical activity, 74.5% never smoked, 56.4% slept < 7 h/day, and 89.5% were coffee consumers. Of these, 94.7% had high waist circumference, 63.2% had high BP, 47.4% had high FBG, 41.1% had low HDL, and 23.2% had high TGs. For coffee consumers, 37.6% drank a small cup, 34.5% drank coffee once daily, 89.4% drank Arabic coffee, and 75.3% added no additives. CONCLUSIONS: No significant association was found between coffee consumption patterns and any MetS component, with the exception of elevated TGs, which was strongly associated with coffee cup size and number of daily cups. Waist circumference and BMI had a strong positive correlation with coffee cup size, and there was a significant relationship between the number of daily cups, BMI, and TC. Further prospective studies are needed to establish a causal relationship.