Up to five cups of coffee a day may be safe for your heart, experts say

Up to five cups of caffeinated coffee a day appears to be safe for most adults and may even help protect against heart disease and stroke, according to new research. Experts say energy drinks are a different story and may increase heart risks.

What the research found

Drinking up to five cups of caffeinated coffee a day is generally safe for most adults and could lower the risk of several heart-related conditions, according to a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association.

The review of the latest evidence found that consuming up to 400mg of caffeine a day - roughly the amount in five 8-ounce cups of regular black coffee - was linked to a lower risk of heart disease, heart failure, stroke and Type 2 diabetes in some people.

“Caffeine consumed in coffee is a key part of daily life for millions of people, and in our review of the most recent research, for most adults, intake of up to 400 mg of caffeine/day, the equivalent of up to 5 cups of caffeinated coffee per day without added sugars or fillers, is safe and does not increase cardiovascular risk,” said Gregory M. Marcus, chair of the scientific statement writing group.

Energy drinks raise concerns

Researchers warned that the findings do not apply to energy drinks or energy shots, which often contain much higher concentrations of caffeine.

The statement says these products may increase the risk of high blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms, particularly in younger adults.

“However, high doses of caffeine, such as those found in energy drinks including energy shots, may have harmful effects on the heart and should be avoided,” Marcus said.

It's not just about the caffeine

Experts say coffee contains many natural compounds besides caffeine that may help explain its potential health benefits, including substances with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

They also noted that adding sugar, flavoured syrups or cream may reduce some of those benefits.

While the review found that drinking two to four cups of coffee a day was linked to a lower risk of heart disease, heart failure and stroke, drinking more than four cups daily may increase the risk of heart failure in some people.

The researchers stressed that caffeine affects everyone differently depending on factors such as age, genetics, medications and existing health conditions. They said more studies are needed to better understand how different caffeinated drinks affect heart health.

The scientific statement was published in the journal Circulation.

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coffee heart disease American Heart Association Science Health