Moderate Coffee Consumption May Benefit the Cardiovascular System, but High Doses Caffeine Can Be Harmful

Moderate consumption of naturally caffeinated beverages, particularly coffee, is generally associated with a lower risk of several cardiovascular diseases, whereas high doses of caffeine—such as those found in many energy drinks—may increase cardiovascular risk. Caffeine is one of the world’s most widely consumed psychoactive substances, and its cardiovascular effects vary depending on the source of caffeine, the amount consumed, individual characteristics, and whether intake is acute or habitual. Most studies suggest an inverse J-shaped relationship between naturally caffeinated products and blood pressure, with moderate intake linked to more favorable blood pressure levels. Evidence on caffeine and diabetes remains mixed, although regular coffee consumption has consistently been associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Overall, caffeine does not appear to have a clear effect on blood lipid levels, but unfiltered coffee can increase low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Research, primarily involving coffee, has found either no association or a reduced risk of coronary artery disease and heart failure. Randomized trials among habitual coffee drinkers also showed that caffeinated coffee lowers the risk of atrial fibrillation but increases the frequency of premature ventricular contractions. In addition, moderate coffee consumption has been consistently associated with a lower risk of stroke, while evidence on very high caffeine intake, especially from energy drinks, suggests potential cardiovascular harm. Source: https://www.ahajournals.org/