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Moderate Coffee Intake Safe for Heart Health, May Offer Protective Benefits: Study
🇷🇸 Serbia /Health & Science

Moderate Coffee Intake Safe for Heart Health, May Offer Protective Benefits: Study

From N1 Serbia · () Serbian

Translated from Serbian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Moderate coffee consumption, up to five cups daily, is generally safe and may benefit heart health, according to a new study.
  • The research, published in 'Circulation,' suggests coffee may lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and atrial fibrillation.
  • However, preparation methods and additives like sugar can impact health effects, with unfiltered coffee potentially raising LDL cholesterol.

Millions of coffee lovers can rejoice as new research indicates that moderate consumption of their favorite brew is unlikely to harm heart health and may even offer protective benefits. A comprehensive review of recent studies, published in the American Heart Association's journal 'Circulation,' suggests that drinking up to 400 milligrams of caffeine daily, roughly five cups of black coffee, is safe for most adults and does not increase cardiovascular risk.

The findings challenge long-held fears about coffee's impact on the heart. The study highlights that moderate intake of black coffee, without added sugar, cream, or flavorings, is associated with a reduced risk of several serious health conditions. These include type 2 diabetes, various heart diseases, stroke, and even atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder. Some research even suggests coffee consumption can lower the risk of premature ventricular contractions.

Caffeine from coffee is an important part of daily life for millions of people. Our review of the latest research shows that intake of up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is safe and does not raise cardiovascular risk for most adults.

— Gregori MarkusGregori Markus, a professor of medicine at the University of California and lead researcher, explains the findings on safe caffeine intake.

However, experts caution that moderation is key, and the benefits are not universal. While two to four cups daily appear linked to lower risks, consuming more than four cups might increase the risk of heart failure in some individuals. Furthermore, the way coffee is prepared and what is added to it significantly influence its health effects. Unfiltered coffee, such as Turkish, espresso, or French press, contains compounds like cafestol, which can elevate LDL ('bad') cholesterol levels.

Instant and filtered coffees are considered better choices as they contain negligible amounts of cafestol. Health experts also emphasize that additions like sugar, flavored syrups, milk, or cream can negate coffee's potential benefits, transforming a healthy beverage into a high-calorie treat. The study also draws a distinction between coffee and energy drinks, noting that the high caffeine doses in the latter carry greater risks.

Adding sugar, flavored syrups, milk, or cream likely diminishes its potential health benefits.

— ReportThe report notes how common additives can affect the health benefits of coffee.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by N1 Serbia in Serbian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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