Hot beverages are a commonly reported rosacea trigger. But the impact of drinking coffee — which is often served hot — on the condition has been unclear. Now a recent study out of West Virginia University suggests that caffeinated coffee consumption is inversely associated with rosacea.1 The findings support the hypothesis that the blood vessel-constricting effect of the caffeine in coffee counteracts the blood vessel-dilating effect associated with heated beverages, thereby protecting against rosacea.
Using a large database from the UK, the researchers looked at over 490,000 caffeinated coffee and tea drinkers to determine if there was any correlation between their caffeinated drinking status and rosacea diagnosis in comparison to decaffeinated and non-coffee or tea drinkers. Caffeinated coffee drinkers had lower odds for rosacea diagnosis compared to non-coffee drinkers. There was no significant difference in rosacea diagnoses between decaffeinated and non-coffee drinkers, nor between tea drinkers and non-tea drinkers.
While more research into the impact of caffeine on rosacea is needed, the study reinforces past research finding that coffee may reduce the risk for rosacea,2 and further debunks the myth that caffeine is a driving force behind rosacea flare-ups. Coffee lovers, rejoice!
References
1. Yildirim AM, Fang W, Kolodney MS. Correlation of rosacea with hot beverage intake. Skin Health Dis 2022 Sep 8;3(1):e154. doi: 10.1002/ski2.154. PMID: 36751326; PMCID: PMC9892423.
2. Li S, Chen ML, Drucker AM, et al. Association of caffeine intake and caffeinated coffee consumption with risk of incident rosacea in women. JAMA Dermatol 2018 Oct 17. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2018.3301