Those with atrial fibrillation also consumed more red meat and full-fat dairy products. Low (one cup/day), medium (two to three cups/day), heavy (more than three cups/day) and none, the study authors noted in a society news release. Italian researchers asked patients who'd been recently diagnosed with the com heart arrhythmia to supply information about their dietary habits, including caffeine consumption.

In atrial fibrillation, the heart's two upper. It was also noted that patients with atrial fibrillation consumed more of their total dietary antioxidants from coffee compared to other food sources, such as fruits, vegetables and wine, the researchers pointed out in the news release. Their diets were compared with those of people without atrial fibrillation. The findings were presented this week at the European Society of Cardiology annual meeting in. The heaviest coffee drinkers were also more likely to have atrial fibrillation than those who drank less, the study found.

Patients were also ranked according to their adherence to the Mediterranean diet, which is rich in whole grains, maurise oil, fruits and vegetables and includes little red meat. Daily coffee intake was divided into four categories.

People with atrial fibrillation were less likely to follow the Mediterranean diet than those without the heart condition, according to the study.