Five cups of coffee per day is a safe amount for adults
The new guidance suggests coffee lovers can enjoy up to five cups a day without harming their hearts, and the popular drink may even help keep cardiovascular disease at bay.
Cardiologists from the American Heart Association say consuming up to 400 mg of caffeine per day (roughly equivalent to five cups of coffee) is generally safe for most adults and may reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
A scientific statement published in the journal Circulation reviewed dozens of previous studies and found that people who drank two to four cups of coffee a day had a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, heart failure and stroke.
Researchers believe compounds naturally found in coffee may help reduce inflammation and promote healthy gut bacteria, potentially explaining its protective effects.
But they warned that the benefits were linked to black coffee or coffee without excessive sugar, cream or flavored syrups, which could reduce its positive effect.
Experts also warned against taking caffeine from energy drinks and similar products.
They said the high levels of caffeine found in energy drinks “may increase the risk of high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia.”
Professor Gregory Marcus, from the University of California and one of the guideline authors, said: “Caffeine consumed in coffee is an important part of daily life for millions of people, and the latest research suggests that for most adults, intake of up to 400mg of caffeine, the equivalent of up to five cups of caffeinated coffee a day, without added sugar or fillers, is safe and does not increase cardiovascular risk.
“However, high doses of caffeine, such as those found in power drinks and power drinks, can have harmful effects on the heart and should be avoided.”
Caffeine affects everyone differently depending on factors such as age, genetics, metabolism, medication and underlying health conditions, the researchers noted.
Professor Marcus added: “Although research suggests that caffeine consumption may be associated with certain cardiovascular benefits for some people, it is important to remember that there is no ‘one size fits all’ strategy for safe caffeine consumption.
“People can respond very differently to caffeine… What is a reasonable amount for one person may cause undesirable effects such as heart palpitations, anxiety or sleep disturbance in another.”
