It’s a great day to be a coffee lover.
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD
Key Points
- Drinking 2-4 cups of coffee daily may lower risks of heart disease, stroke and atrial fibrillation.
- Coffee’s polyphenols and micronutrients may support glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.
- Avoid energy drinks; their high caffeine content can raise blood pressure and cause heart rhythm issues.
Many of us start our mornings with caffeinated coffee—however you take your cup, you’re participating in a morning ritual that millions swear by.
While sipping your morning cup, you may have wondered about its impact on your health, specifically your heart. A new review published in the American Heart Association (AHA) journal Circulation showcases how caffeine truly affects our most vital organ, whether you get it from coffee or from other drinks.
Your Heart on Caffeine
You may think that regular coffee consumption causes heart issues, but drinking coffee throughout the day could do more good than harm, per the new review. The review notes that drinking a few cups of coffee each day could lower risks of cardiovascular conditions like atrial fibrillation (AF), coronary artery disease, heart failure and stroke.
In one cited randomized trial published in JAMApeople with AF who drank at least one cup of caffeinated coffee daily had a 39% lower risk of their arrhythmia returning after treatment compared with those who avoided caffeine. The AHA also found that drinking two to three cups of coffee per day was associated with an approximately 10% lower risk of coronary artery disease. And a cited meta-analysis studying 2.4 million people linked three to four cups daily to a 21% lower risk of stroke—stroke risk is also shown to be reduced with regular black or green tea consumption.
While this is great news for coffee and tea lovers, this updated data does not give a pass for caffeinated energy drinks. Highly caffeinated energy drinks have been shown to cause heart rhythm problems, including heart palpitations, due to the abnormally high levels of caffeine. The review shows that drinking energy drinks, especially before exercise, can raise blood pressure and increase one’s risk of hypertension.
Coffee’s Other Benefits
Beyond heart health, your cup of joe offers more potential benefits. Most evidently, the review suggests drinking 3.5 to 5 cups of caffeinated coffee per day can decrease risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 30%.
Although caffeine is highlighted in this review, the AHA emphasizes that coffee’s perks may also come from its polyphenol and micronutrient content. Specifically, coffee contains a polyphenol called chlorgenic acid, which can help your cells create, break down and store sugar for energy, supporting your glucose metabolism. Plus, the magnesium and chromium in coffee can also benefit insulin sensitivity and lower blood glucose concentrations in the body.
Our Expert Take
Caffeine alone isn’t going to give your heart health a boost. But drinking polyphenol-rich caffeinated beverages like coffee and green tea definitely has some perks. The new AHA review shows that drinking multiple cups of caffeinated coffee each day can help support your heart and lower your risk of cardiovascular conditions and events, including stroke. So to spice up your morning routine, try one of these highly-rated coffee and green tea drinks that will help you reap the benefits:
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