DRINKING COFFEE has been associated with lowering your risk of heart disease, yet the reason for the link has so far been elusive. Now a study on mice, published in the open journal PLOS Biology, has shone a light on the protective effect of caffeine consumption on heart cells – and it could have implications for humans. The study, which delivered caffeine equivalent to four cups of coffee a day for humans, found it promoted the movement of a protein called ‘p27’ to the membrane surrounding the heart cells, enhancing its function and protecting the heart from damage. Coffee consumption could potentially be included as part of a future strategy for protecting heart muscle from damage in the elderly, say the study authors. Read more about women’s heart health on p18.