Twenty-two more new dengue cases were reported in the 24 hours leading up to Sunday morning, bringing the total number of cases to 1,845 this year. According to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), new cases were reported as follows: five in Barishal Division (Out of CC), twelve in Chattogram Division (Out of CC), and five in Dhaka South City Corporation. Nationwide Vitamin A campaign starts Saturday The number of deaths remained at 13, with no new fatalities reported during this period, the DGHS added. Currently, 102 dengue patients are receiving treatment in hospitals across the country. Seminar highlights importance of proper iftar and sehri Last year, dengue claimed the lives of 575 people. According to the DGHS, there were 101,214 dengue cases and 100,040 recoveries in the same year.

Feeling stressed, unwell, or burnt out at work? A Swiss town is offering a unique approach to healing: art therapy through museum visits, prescribed by doctors. In Neuchâtel, Switzerland, a two-year pilot project has been launched where doctors can prescribe free visits to any of the town's four museums for patients they believe could benefit from exposure to art. Mangal Shobhajatra may get a new name: Farooki Local authorities are covering the costs of these "museum prescriptions," based on a 2019 World Health Organization report which highlighted the positive effects of the arts on mental health, trauma recovery, cognitive decline, frailty, and premature mortality. Art can serve as preventive medicine, helping to relax the mind. Additionally, museum visits encourage physical activity through walking and standing for extended periods. Julie Courcier Delafontaine, a council member in Neuchâtel, noted that the COVID-19 crisis also contributed to the program's creation. "During the lockdowns, people realized just how much we need cultural sites to feel better," she said. So far, around 500 museum prescriptions have been distributed, with a budget of 10,000 Swiss francs (around $11,300). If successful, the program could be expanded to include other forms of artistic expression, such as theatre or dance. Although the Swiss national healthcare system doesn't yet recognize culture as therapy, Courcier Delafontaine hopes the program’s success will change that. Marianne de Reynier Nevsky, the town’s cultural mediation manager, who helped create the program, mentioned a similar initiative in Montreal, Canada, in 2019. She believes it could benefit a wide range of patients, such as those suffering from depression, chronic illness, or mobility issues. The goal is also to encourage patients who are reluctant to leave their homes to get moving. Dr. Marc-Olivier Sauvain, head of surgery at Neuchâtel Hospital, has already prescribed museum visits to patients to help them prepare physically for surgery. He expects a wider rollout after a control group is established. "It's wishful thinking to tell patients to walk or stroll to improve fitness before surgery," Sauvain explained. "Museum prescriptions offer both physical and intellectual exercise." For patients, this approach is often more appealing than traditional treatments. "It's really nice to prescribe museum visits rather than medications or tests that patients don’t enjoy," Sauvain said. World Mime Day 2025 celebrated in Dhaka Some visitors to the museums, like poet and retired teacher Carla Fragniere Filliger, have expressed their support for the initiative. "I think it’s a great idea," she said during her visit. "There should be prescriptions for all the museums in the world!"

If you listen to some self-proclaimed exercise experts on social media, they swear that working out on an empty stomach burns more fat. But it’s a common misconception that exercising in a fasted state improves performance or burns more calories, said Abby Langer, a dietitian in Toronto. “The research shows that in terms of gains, it doesn’t really make much of a difference,” she said. Does that mean you should load up on protein and carbs right before a workout? No, that’s not true either. Here’s a look at when — and how — you should eat, before, after or even during a workout. (And remember, experts say what you eat is more important than when you eat.) What’s the case for eating before exercising? The calories in food literally are energy, so you need them to fuel your body for a proper workout. Eating too much too soon beforehand, though, can be problematic. Exercising diverts blood from organs including the stomach to the muscles, said Langer, author of “Good Food, Bad Diet.” So exercising on a full stomach affects the digestive process, which could cause cramping or even make you feel sick. That’s particularly the case with meals high in fat, protein or fiber, which take longer to digest than carbohydrates. Langer recommends eating a high ratio of carbs beforehand and waiting two to three hours before intense exercise. Surprising health benefits of walking barefoot at home “You don’t want to eat a big steak an hour before you play hockey,” she said. If you exercise first thing in the morning or before dinner, it’s OK to have a carb-rich snack like a banana with peanut butter or yogurt with fruit beforehand. It will give you the energy to perform well, and you can fuel up afterward with a full meal. When — and what — should you eat after exercise? That steak may serve you better afterward because that’s when a higher ratio of protein is easier to digest, said Krista Austin, a physiologist in Colorado Springs. Austin said if it will be an hour or longer before you can have a full meal, it’s better to have a high-protein snack in the meantime to help curb your appetite. The reason has little to do with muscle recovery or nutrient absorption: Rather, people who are too hungry make poor dietary choices. “A lot of people get very hungry about an hour after exercise, and you don’t want to do that,” said Austin, author of “Performance Nutrition: Applying the Science of Nutrient Timing.” “You want to catch it early, or you go and overeat.” But it’s another myth that you need to grab a protein shake within minutes of finishing to build the biggest muscles, Langer said. Many exercise enthusiasts point to what’s known as an “anabolic window” of about an hour within exercising that the body is primed to repair muscle. For the average person, you have a much longer window, and nutrient timing is less important than making sure you consume some protein at every meal, Langer said. The body needs a continuous supply of amino acids like protein for muscle repair and maintenance, she said, which means about 25 to 30 grams at every meal, depending on various factors. Ramadan 2025: Five tips for mental and emotional well-being while fasting “Prioritizing that will help with goals, either muscle building, satiety, weight loss, all of that,” Langer said. How about eating during exercise? Most people who are eating enough throughout the day don’t need anything during a workout. Langer and Austin said the threshold is about an hour of intense exercise. Longer than that — say you're training for a marathon — and you can benefit from a carb-rich snack in the middle. Instead of focusing on when to eat, Austin said to focus on what and how much. She cautioned against overcomplicating the topic and recommended following the USDA’s My Plate recommendations for a balanced diet. “The biggest thing we need to teach people is that nutrition is simple,” she said. “Maybe you need to stop focusing on the concept of nutrient timing and just make sure that you’re consistently eating throughout the day and focus on health.”

“Stop referring to a coming post-antibiotic era — it’s already here.”- This statement was made by the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention Report (2019) almost within a century of the invention of the first antibiotic by Sir Alexander Flemming. Now, globally, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is the 3rd leading cause of death. In 2019, about 4.95 million premature deaths occurred due to AMR which was higher than HIV/AIDS or malaria and this could rise to more than 10 million by 2050.  Bangladesh also cannot escape the AMR threat. In 2019, about 26,200 deaths were attributed to AMR, and 98,000 deaths were directly related to AMR. Among 204 countries, Bangladesh was ranked 75 according to the age-standardized mortality rate affiliated with AMR per 1,00,000, which is alarming and needs proper action to control.  What is AMR? Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a condition where microbes, bacteria, and viruses evolve in such a way that the drugs that were previously used against them are no longer effective, thus leading to serious illness and in some cases death.  AMR is now a global concern that almost all countries including Bangladesh are suffering from. And, there is a heavy burden on the Sub-Saharan African countries. However, there is inadequate data regarding AMR-related fatalities in low-income countries.  Read more: Edible oil in drums poses a threat to public health: PROGGA Misuse or overuse of the antimicrobials is a significant driver of resistance. If the treatment is too long or short or incorrect, this increases the chance of antimicrobials becoming resistant. If this occurs then it creates more opportunities for microbes to develop and multiply. AMR scenario in Bangladesh AMR is a serious public health concern as Bangladesh has a decentralized healthcare system. In Bangladesh, most healthcare facilities are concentrated in secondary and tertiary hospitals.  Besides these, the domestic pharmaceutical industries are now providing 97% of the countries’ medicine. Privately owned pharmacies and dispensaries resulted in easy access to the drugs. According to a  CAPTURA report in collaboration with UK Aid, uncontrolled pharmacies in Bangladesh resulted in possible misuse of antibiotics. It is estimated that almost 50.9% of the total antibiotics were purchased without prescription, which is an alarming situation. The number of AMR deaths in Bangladesh is higher than deaths caused by diseases like chronic respiratory diseases, tuberculosis, respiratory infections, diabetes, kidney diseases, and digestive diseases.  Read more: Infections cause 20-40% of newborn deaths in Bangladesh: Study Due to the decentralised healthcare system, AMR surveillance in Bangladesh is difficult to monitor. To prevent this situation from worsening, the government should take steps for monitoring in collaboration with the research centres like icddr,b, IEDCR, and different NGOs working on the healthcare facilities. Furthermore, international organisations like WHO, US-CDC, FFCGB, and USAID need to play crucial roles in controlling the situation. Analysis of the policy issue According to a WHO report, Southeast Asian countries have the highest risk of AMR among all the WHO regions. Bangladesh is no exception to this. In Bangladesh, antimicrobials are widely available as over-the-counter drugs.  This situation became more complicated due to the presence of unqualified providers in the informal sector along with unethical marketing practices of the pharmaceutical companies. Besides human health hazards, the AMR has a drastic impact on the animals and the environment too (National Library of Medicine, n.d.).  Impacts on human health A recent research in Dhaka showed that in the case of Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), the most used antibiotics like Amoxicillin (82%), Azithromycin (75%), and Cefixime (64.5%) were found resistant among 1308 samples used.  Read more: HMPV Virus Outbreak: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention Another newspaper report shows that almost 18% of bacteria isolated from children affected with pneumonia were resistant to all routinely used antibiotics like ampicillin, gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, and ceftriaxone. The report also showed that the frequent use of antibiotics to treat general colds, flu, and mild diarrheal illness is mostly responsible for fueling the AMR in the community.  It has been observed that almost all age groups are more or less resistant to antibiotics but the children and youth are mostly affected by its effect. Economic impact In 2019, the World Bank found that the impact of AMR is also negatively affecting the world economy. The report estimated that by 2050, unchecked AMR would reduce the world GDP by 3.8% and push 28 million people into poverty. As a developing country, Bangladesh will also be a sufferer of this problem as due to AMR, people are now spending more on healthcare compared to other spending.  A recent analysis showed that unaddressed AMR on livestock would cost global GDP up  to $950 billion and its spread from livestock to humans would cost up to $5.2 trillion of world GDP (World Health Organisation, 2024). Read more: Read more: Should You Drink Hot or Cold Water? Environmental impact Multi-drug-resistant bacteria have already affected the ecology of Bangladesh. Common resistant phenotypes included common antibiotics like Ampicillin, Tetracycline, Aztreonam, Nalidixic acid, and Ciprofloxacin.  How does this issue affect different groups of people? According to a report by Medical News Today, the most affected group by AMR is children under 5 years with pneumonia. Almost 18% of the total isolated bacteria are resistant to all routinely used antibiotics.  The unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation are responsible for some common diseases which creates the demand for the widespread availability of over-the-counter antibiotics from the local pharmacies. Besides this misconception about antibiotics, weak surveillance processes, and less awareness among the sellers and patients are continually contributing to the growing AMR according to a report by the Dhaka Tribune. The irrational use of antibiotics in animal feed like poultry farms, and defective water management in the city are also spreading AMR among city people.  Read more: How to Fix Your Sleep Routine: Know the Do's and Don'ts A report by the Business Standard shows that 8 of the 12 antibiotics used in poultry farms were ineffective by at least 40% against the most common bacteria like E.coli.  Comparative analysis Different countries around the world are taking different approaches to tackle the situation like the One Health approach, Surveillance, Stewardship, awareness building, and agricultural steps.  USA The USA has taken steps like strengthening national One Health surveillance efforts, assuring advanced and innovative diagnostic tests, running an Antimicrobial stewardship program and national awareness week, promoting improved international collaboration to slow down the AMR among the people, etc. Besides, the US Government enforced the FDA regulations to restrict antibiotics in animal feeds. These initiatives resulted in a 15% reduction in overall antibiotic prescriptions in the last decade. However, resistance persists due to continuous overuse of antibiotics in outpatient care and agricultural misuse.  Read more: Effective Home Remedies to Combat Bad Breath UK The UK has taken the National Action Plan focusing on the One Health approach, assuring strict regulation, and public campaigns named “Keep Antibiotics Working”. These measures helped to reduce 23% of human antibiotic consumption between 2014 and 2020. In recent years, the UK has undertaken a long-term plan“Confronting AMR 2024 to 2029.” However, in the case of rural areas, this problem is still prominent.  India India initiated the National Action Plan in 2017 to address this issue. Besides this, they started surveillance through the Indian Council of Medical Research. These resulted positively in creating awareness against AMR. However, inadequate data was found regarding the use of antibiotics in the agricultural sectors. Bangladesh Bangladesh also initiated a national action plan to improve surveillance along with the One Health approach and stewardship. Besides this, different surveillance units are active in different hospitals to combat the situation. Public awareness has been created but is limited. Weak enforcement of regulations of antibiotics, the profit-maximizing attitude of pharmaceutical companies, and unregulated pharmacies lead to the persistence of the AMR situation. Read more: Colon Cancer: Everything You Need to Know Key lessons for Bangladesh The developed countries exhibited a long-term plan to slow down the AMR problems. Furthermore, they are successful in reducing the percentage of AMR to a great extent. They are now working on surveillance and creating public awareness in curbing the effects of the AMR. Moreover, the developed countries are taking action to reduce the effect on the agricultural sectors which Bangladesh lacks.  Proposed solutions and reforms   Bangladesh needs to take both short-term and long-term plans to curb the effect of AMR. Here are some proposed solutions: - Introducing DHIS2 for every patient so that the diseases and prescriptions are documented and developed in such a way that if antibiotics are prescribed then signals will be sent to professionals. This will help to review the necessity of antibiotics.- Pharmaceutical companies should be properly regulated so that they cannot put pressure on doctors to prescribe unnecessary antimicrobials.- Public awareness should be created from the root level. The concept of AMR and its dreadful effect can be included in the national curricula.- The authorities may take initiatives to regulate the pharmacies and take the selling of antibiotics under surveillance. This will help the authorities to track the record of selling antibiotics.- Traditional methods of treatment like Unani, Ayurvedic medicines, and Homeopathy need to be revived by doing research.- The private sector in collaboration with NGOs may take initiatives to raise awareness among the rural people.- The international development partners need to collaborate with the government for funding and propose policies that are effective in different countries.- Doctors along with pharmacists should be properly trained about the AMR effects.- Mobile health courts may be established to regulate the local pharmacies. - The farmers need training and proper awareness should be created to control the use of antibiotics in the agricultural and livestock sectors.- The tannery industries should be taken under surveillance to reduce water pollution which is responsible for evolving germs in different ways. Read more: Why You Should Try Walking Backwards Conclusion In the 21st century, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) is a global concern, and Bangladesh is at high risk. Proper actions and reforms in the healthcare sector may control the situation. In this case, proper steps should be taken by the government in collaboration with the private sectors, like NGOs, development partners, doctors, and pharmaceutical companies. And, most importantly, the mass population of the country should stand against the AMR effects. Otherwise, it would result in health hazards, economic problems, and environmental concerns to a greater extent.

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has ranked the seventh on the list of cities with the worst air quality with an AQI score of 160 at 90am this morning (February 7, 2025). Today’s air was classified as 'unhealthy', referring to a health risk to residents, according to the AQI index. However, hazardous air quality continued in the densely polluted city over the past few days. When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. Dhaka’s air quality the worst this morning Kuwait’s Kuwait City, Myanmar’s Yangon and Pakistan’s Lahore cities respectively occupied the first second, and third spots on the list, with AQI scores of 390, 255 and 186 respectively. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

Speakers have warned that failure to raise greater public awareness about cancer prevention could result in at least one cancer patient in every family by 2030.Marking World Cancer Day on February 4, speakers expressed their concerns at a press conference jointly organised by the World Cancer Society Bangladesh, Bangladesh Cancer Foundation, and Bangladesh Breast Cancer Awareness Forum on Monday. Britain's Princess of Wales says her cancer is in remissionThe press conference was held at the Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia Auditorium of the National Press Club.Eminent cancer pathologist and prevention expert Professor Dr Habibullah Talukder Raskin, along with World Cancer Society President Dr Syed Humayun Kabir and other discussants, shared the latest situation analysis and discussed necessary measures to address the issue.They spoke about the lack of initiatives, irregularities, and inconsistencies in various cancer control efforts and proposed solutions to these challenges.Emphasising the importance of public awareness, the speakers stressed the need for proactive measures to protect people from cancer at the societal level."If we become aware and eliminate food adulteration, abstain from tobacco, prevent air pollution, control plastic use, and replace chemical fertilisers with organic alternatives, we can prevent 70% of cancer cases,” said Dr Syed Humayun Kabir. 60% cancer patients directly involved in agriculture: Adviser Farida"If we fail to raise public awareness, the harsh reality is that by 2030, there could be at least one cancer patient in every family," he warned.Dr Kabir underscored the urgent need for collective awareness and action to combat cancer.

Dhaka, the overcrowded capital city of Bangladesh, has topped the list of cities having the worst air quality with an AQI score of 295 at 8:55am this morning (January 27, 2025). Today's air was classified as ‘very unhealthy', referring to a severe health threat, according to the AQI index. Such unhealthy environment has been prevailing in the densely polluted city over the past few days. When the AQI value for particle pollution is between 50 and 100, air quality is considered ‘moderate’, usually sensitive individuals should consider limiting prolonged outdoor exertion, between 101 and 150, air quality is considered ‘unhealthy for sensitive groups’, between 150 and 200 is ‘unhealthy’, between 201 and 300 is said to be 'very unhealthy', while a reading of 301+ is considered 'hazardous', posing serious health risks to residents. Pakistan’s Lahore, India’s Delhi and Myanmar’s Yangon cities respectively occupied the second, third and fourth spots on the list, with AQI scores of 232, 203 and 185 respectively. The AQI, an index for reporting daily air quality, informs people how clean or polluted the air of a certain city is and what associated health effects might be a concern for them. The AQI in Bangladesh is based on five pollutants: particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5), NO2, CO, SO2, and ozone. Read: Dhaka’s “very unhealthy” air quality continues Dhaka has long been grappling with air pollution issues. Its air quality usually turns unhealthy in winter and improves during the monsoon. As per World Health Organization (WHO), air pollution kills an estimated seven million people worldwide every year, mainly due to increased mortality from stroke, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, and acute respiratory infections.

A case of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) has been detected in Bangladesh, according to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR). A woman from Bhairab in Kishoreganj was confirmed to have contracted the virus, IEDCR revealed on Sunday. Reovirus detected in Bangladesh: 5 cases identified IEDCR Director Prof. Tahmina Shirin said, “Every year, a few cases of HMPV infection are identified. This virus is not new; it has been detected in various countries including in Bangladesh,” On January 8, a press briefing by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) highlighted a rising prevalence of HMPV in China following the COVID-19 pandemic, sparking global concerns over a potential health crisis. Health adviser visits Aalo Clinic in Karail Prof. Tahmina said akthough the virus is not new increased awareness and surveillance are necessary to monitor its impact. HMPV is known to cause respiratory infections, particularly among children, the elderly, and people with compromised immune systems.

Early in his career, Justin Stewart balanced multiple jobs to make ends meet. He worked as a full-time news show production assistant from 3 a.m. until noon, then rushed to another job renting cars at an airport or pulling shifts in retail stores, reports AP. At times, he even slept in his car between jobs. Eventually, he was hospitalised for exhaustion and a staph infection. Morning coffee may lower risk of early death, study finds “While people around me admired my hustle, I paid the price in the end,” Stewart recalled. “The doctor told me, ‘You’re too young to be this stressed. You need to quit something.’” Now 36, Stewart began setting boundaries. He let go of side jobs, realising he could manage without extra income. If colleagues contacted him after hours, he made it clear he was off-duty and offered an alternative contact. Setting boundaries in work and life can be difficult. Many struggle to say no, particularly to a manager, while others enjoy the satisfaction of being needed or pleasing others. Should You Drink Hot or Cold Water? However, experts emphasise that learning to decline requests is crucial for safeguarding physical and mental health. Like any new skill, establishing boundaries becomes easier with practice. Well-being experts and organisational behaviour specialists, along with other workers, shared strategies for setting limits. Schedule Intentionally Although adding tasks to your calendar may seem counterproductive when trying to reduce your workload, it can help you take better control of your time. Bobby Dutton, founder of event production company GBM6, uses a method called “aggressive calendaring.” He schedules tasks he’s prone to procrastinate on, like handling contracts, for every Monday at 2 p.m. To avoid overload, he also books time for regular tasks such as making coffee, walking the dog, and eating lunch. Prepare a Script For those unaccustomed to saying no, it can help to write down what you’ll say and rehearse it. Stewart practised informing colleagues when his workload became overwhelming, using phrases like “This is a lot for me” or “You gave me seven stories; I can manage four or five.” Cara Houser, a workplace engagement coach, suggests you don’t need to justify your refusal. You can simply say you’re unavailable at that time, followed by “Thanks for asking, and I hope to have more capacity next time.” If the person argues, Houser advises responding with, “I understand how you feel. But I’ve decided to handle things this way today.” Entrepreneur Amber Krasinski, raised in a working-class environment where refusing a boss could mean losing pay, often uses “Not yet” when turning down a project. “That phrase has helped me in many situations,” she said. This underused type of care can help in stroke recovery, report says Know Your Limits It can be tempting to agree right away when asked to help, but sometimes stepping back is the better choice. Before responding to a new request, take five minutes to assess your workload, energy, and priorities, suggests Israa Nasir, a New York-based psychotherapist. Nasir recalls how a former boss would frequently text work-related queries at 10 p.m. on weekends. Instead of saying, “Don’t text me,” she proposed, “Can we check in before the weekend so I can plan my time?” Nasir also advises keeping track of activities or interactions that leave you feeling drained. Add these to a “No List” — a tool to help decide when to decline, though it doesn’t mean you reject every request. Use Technology Wisely Mobile devices make it easier to work from anywhere, but they can blur the line between work and personal time. However, there are ways to limit distractions. After realising she checked email too often on weekends, Nasir moved her Gmail app to the second page of her iPhone from Friday night to Sunday night. Email signatures can also help manage expectations. Candice Pokk, a senior consultant in organisational effectiveness at Segal, includes a “Well-Being Notice” in her emails that reads, “Receiving this email outside normal working hours? I’ve sent this at a time that works for me. Please respond when it suits you.” Be Selective About Meetings With online meetings becoming more common, it’s easy for others to fill your calendar with invitations. Accepting all invites can leave little time for other tasks. Janine Pelosi, CEO of video technology company Neat, believes workers should feel free to leave meetings that aren’t relevant, if the work environment allows it. If unsure about the value of a meeting, Pelosi recommends requesting an agenda or asking for the desired outcome in advance. Set Time Limits Lori Perkins, 65, worked long hours until a cancer diagnosis changed her routine. During chemotherapy, she could only manage about four hours a day, feeling sluggish and drained. After treatment, Perkins realised she would survive and questioned whether she wanted to continue at the same pace. She now limits her work as owner of Riverdale Avenue Books to around 50 hours per week, reducing her manuscript reviews. Rather than send rejection letters, she tells authors to check back in a few months when it’s less hectic. She practices saying “no” in her head and journal, recording her experiences. This has given her time to enjoy museums, friends, and theatre. “No changed my life,” Perkins said. “I’m a different person now because I truly embraced saying no.”

Drinking coffee in the morning may reduce the risk of early death, especially from cardiovascular disease, according to new research. The study, published in the European Heart Journal, found that morning coffee drinkers had a lower mortality risk than those who consumed coffee throughout the day. However, the study could not establish whether coffee alone was the cause.  Dr Lu Qi, the lead researcher and director of Tulane University’s Obesity Research Center, suggested that drinking coffee later in the day might disrupt the body’s internal clock, potentially explaining the link. He noted that further research is necessary to confirm these findings across other populations and through clinical trials.  “This study doesn’t explain why coffee consumption in the morning is associated with reduced cardiovascular risk,” Dr. Qi said. “One possible reason is that drinking coffee in the afternoon or evening may interfere with circadian rhythms and hormones like melatonin, leading to changes in inflammation and blood pressure.”  Should You Drink Hot or Cold Water? The study analyzed data from 40,725 adults who participated in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 and 2018. Participants reported their coffee consumption habits, including the time of day they drank coffee.  Over nearly 10 years of follow-up, 4,295 participants died, including 1,268 deaths related to cardiovascular disease. The findings showed that morning coffee drinkers were 16% less likely to die from any cause and 31% less likely to die from heart disease compared to non-coffee drinkers. However, no significant mortality risk reduction was observed in all-day coffee drinkers.  The researchers also discovered that higher coffee intake was significantly linked to a lower risk of death, but only among morning coffee drinkers.  In an accompanying editorial, Prof Thomas F Luscher from Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospitals in London discussed why the timing of coffee consumption might matter. This underused type of care can help in stroke recovery, report says He explained that in the morning, the body experiences increased sympathetic activity as it wakes up, which diminishes later in the day. Drinking coffee later might disrupt the body’s natural rhythm and interfere with melatonin, a hormone essential for sleep.  The study also observed that morning coffee drinkers were more likely to consume tea and caffeinated soda, but less coffee overall, compared to all-day drinkers. Source: with inputs from BBC