Consuming up to 400 mg of caffeine per day, the equivalent of up to five cups of coffee, is considered safe for most adults and, in some cases, appears to be linked to a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a new scientific announcement from the American Heart Association published in Circulation.
The new scientific paper summarizes the latest data on the effect of caffeine and coffee on cardiovascular health, looking at hypertension, cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure and atrial fibrillation, among others.
Based on the results of the latest research studies reviewed, consuming up to 400 mg of caffeine daily (3-5 cups of 240 ml plain black coffee without sugars, sweeteners, flavourings, or added ingredients) is considered safe for most adults.
Drinking coffee without sugar, syrup, or cream is linked to a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and certain heart rhythm disorders. Randomized clinical trials have shown that coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of developing atrial fibrillation, but also with an increased incidence of premature ventricular contractions (PVCs).
Of course, it is pointed out that regular coffee consumption can lead some people to develop a tolerance to higher levels of caffeine, while other people experience strong effects even with small amounts. In the short term, caffeine can cause a transient increase in blood pressure, heart rate, blood sugar, and alertness. Some people may also experience palpitations or sleep disturbances.
As it is also emphasized, higher caffeine intake, such as that observed in energy drinks and especially concentrated energy shots, may have harmful effects on the heart, such as an increased risk of high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythm.
The authors of the paper note that studying the effects of caffeine on the cardiovascular system is difficult. In most studies, the main source of caffeine is coffee, and the observed cardiovascular effects may be due to other compounds in coffee. Experimental studies suggest that some of them have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may explain part of the beneficial effects of coffee.
At the same time, it is difficult to separate the effect of caffeine from that of ingredients often added to coffee, such as sugar, syrup, milk or cream. In fact, the addition of sugar, flavoured syrups, milk or cream may limit the potential benefits of coffee. In addition, most of the studies available are observational studies which means they cannot prove a cause-and-effect relationship.
In addition to coffee, important sources of caffeine are tea, chocolate, soft drinks, energy drinks, as well as some over-the-counter or prescription drugs. It is noted that more research is needed on other products that contain caffeine in order to understand the caffeine content and the impact on cardiovascular health.
Scientists emphasize that more studies are needed to evaluate the effects of different sources of caffeine, such as tea, soft drinks, energy drinks and dietary supplements. Data to date show that tea, like coffee, is associated with a lower risk of atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and stroke. In contrast, energy drinks, bars, and caffeine supplements often contain additional ingredients that enhance caffeine absorption, accelerate its action, and may increase the risk of cardiovascular complications.
ygeiamou.gr
