Up to five cups of coffee a day may benefit heart health
Here’s some good news for coffee lovers: Up to five cups of java a day could keep the doctor away.
According to a statement released by the American Heart Association in the scientific publication Circulation, most adults can safely consume up to 400 mg of caffeine each day – the amount found in up to five 8-ounce cups of coffee — and doing so may have cardiovascular benefits.
The statement outlined the current body of knowledge on caffeine and heart health, and where more research is needed.
Moderate caffeine consumption appears to be linked in some individuals to a lower risk of several cardiovascular conditions, including heart failure, heart disease, and stroke, according to the authors.
But, they found that regularly consuming higher amounts of caffeine, such as the doses found in energy drinks, may increase the risk of high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythm.
The authors noted that coffee is the most-studied source of caffeine, and the observed cardiovascular benefits may be due to other compounds in coffee.
But the AHA warns that the daily brewing method drastically impacts the potential health benefits.
The heart-healthy benefits apply only to paper filters and instant coffee. Drinking unfiltered coffee such as espresso, or Turkish coffee, is associated with higher levels of “bad” cholesterol.
And, avoid adding creamers, sugar, or flavored syrups.
“We have made tremendous progress in understanding the health effects of caffeine, but there is still a lot to learn,” said Frank Hu, a Harvard University professor of nutrition and epidemiology, in an AHA video.
He called for new study designs that can help answer questions such as why people respond differently to caffeine, and the health effects of different sources of caffeine.