London, June 24 (IANS): Drinking three to five cups of coffee per day could cut an individual's cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality risk by up to 21 percent, says new research.

"It is important to acknowledge factors which might have a protective effect against CVD mortality. Moderate coffee consumption could play a significant role in reducing CVD mortality risk, which would impact health outcomes and healthcare spending across Europe," said professor Doutor AntAnio Vaz Carneiro of the Faculdade de Medicine da Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal.

The report published by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC) highlights the role of lifestyle factors in CVD mortality risk reduction, the epidemiological evidence on coffee and CVD mortality.

The lowest CVD mortality risk is seen at an intake of approximately three cups of coffee per day, with a percentage risk reduction of up to 21 percent.

Drinking three to four cups of coffee per day is linked with an approximate 25 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes compared to consuming none or less than two cups per day. People with diabetes typically have a higher CVD mortality risk, therefore this association may be linked to a decreased CVD risk.

Half of CVD cases in women could be avoided by modifying lifestyle choices, as approximately 73 percent of coronary heart disease (CHD) cases and 46 percent of clinical CVD are attributable to an unhealthy lifestyle.