One, two, three or four ... or even more? A U.S.-based, nonprofit health organization is claiming that about five cups of coffee a day may help heart health, rather than sabotage it. Five cups — the average cup being approximately eight ounces or about 250 millilitres — can help cardiovascular health in some individuals and is generally safe, the American Heart Association (AHA) said in a statement Monday, after the group reviewed dozens of research papers on heart health and general well-being. “Caffeine consumed in coffee is a key part of daily life for millions of people,“ Dr. Gregory M. Marcus, a professor of medicine at the University of California, said in an AHA press release, adding that 400 milligrams of caffeine per day “does not increase cardiovascular risk.” “Although research suggests that caffeine consumption may be associated with certain cardiovascular benefits for some people, it’s important to remember that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ strategy for safe caffeine consumption,” he added. “We used to think that caffeine should generally be avoided for example in the setting of abnormal heart rhythm disorders,” Marcus said in an interview with CTV News Channel on Wednesday. However, he added there is now pretty strong evidence “that caffeinated coffee, quite specifically, may protect against the most common form of a heart rhythm disturbance called HR Fibrillation.” While a moderate dose of coffee can help some individuals, the AHA says too much of it, or highly concentrated forms of caffeine like energy drinks, can have negative impacts, including anxiety and an irregular heart rate. The release highlights that studying caffeine’s effects can be tricky, as coffee is routinely the medium through which caffeine is ingested. That opens up the risk of other elements in coffee impacting the research. “Experimental studies suggest that the bioactive compounds in coffee may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help explain some health benefits,” the statement said. “It’s also difficult to separate the effects of caffeine from other ingredients usually added to coffee, such as milk, cream, flavoured syrups and/or sugar.” Canadian health experts on coffee consumption The Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation has also supported drinking coffee for cardiovascular health benefits. They highlight research finding that the drink may help with high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, heart failure, an irregular heartbeat and stroke. However, they warn that too much coffee can cause irritability, nervousness, and headaches. The Canadian group highlights the high levels of antioxidants in coffee, which they say can help heart health. They suggest a similar dosage of coffee, about 250 millilitres. Although the AHA encourages moderate coffee intake, they’re cautious about energy drinks. “Higher caffeine intake, such as levels found in energy drinks including energy shots, was associated with cardiovascular harm, such as increased risk of high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythm,” they said in their statement. The AHA also claim energy shots may contain up to around 70 milligrams of caffeine per fluid ounce, and three to four times more caffeine than regular coffee. “What may be a reasonable amount for one person could cause unwanted effects, such as heart palpitations, anxiety or sleep disruption, in another,” Marcus said. “That’s why it’s important to pay attention to how your body responds to caffeine and talk with your health-care team about what is right for you.”
