Have another cup of joe!
Consuming up to five cups of coffee a day without added sugar and other ingredients is OK and “generally safe” for most adults, says a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association. It also noted that coffee does not increase cardiovascular risk and may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
The AHA study, published July 20 in the journal Circulation, was based on coffee brewed with paper filters or instant coffee. Unfiltered coffees, such as espresso, French press, Turkish or boiled, were found to contain the compound called cafestol, which is associated with higher levels of low-density lipoprotein — also known as bad cholesterol.
The research studied the effects of consuming up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day, which is equal to five 8-ounce cups of caffeinated coffee. Per fluid ounce, regular, caffeinated coffee contains between 9.4 and 20.6 milligrams of caffeine.
The study noted that higher levels of caffeine found in energy drinks and energy shots “may increase the risk of high blood pressure and/or irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia.”
It also noted that what people add to coffee, such as milk, cream, flavored syrups and sugar, makes it “difficult to separate the effects of caffeine.”
According to the new research, coffee is the main source of caffeine for most adults. But the AHA says there needs to be further research on other caffeine-containing products, including tea, chocolate, soda, energy drinks and over-the-counter and prescription medication.
This new statement details the impact of coffee on cardiovascular conditions such as coronary heart disease, heart failure and atrial fibrillation as well as type 2 diabetes, stroke and some irregular heart rhythms.
Study lead author Gregory M. Marcus of the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine noted that there is no one-size-fits-all recommendation regarding caffeine consumption and said it’s important to talk to health care providers.
“People can respond very differently to caffeine based on various factors, such as age, medications, underlying health conditions, genetics and how quickly their bodies metabolize it,” Marcus said. “What may be a reasonable amount for one person could cause unwanted effects, such as heart palpitations, anxiety or sleep disruption, in another.”
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky at sselasky@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: New study says 5 cups of coffee may be safe for your heart
Reporting by Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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By Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press | USA TODAY Network
