UP TO FIVE CUPS OF COFFEE A DAY ARE SAFE FOR THE HEART

WASHINGTON, JULY 22 /SRNA/ - Up to five cups of coffee a day are safe for the heart for most adults; they may even have certain benefits, according to the findings of the latest study by the American Heart Association.

Coffee is the most popular source of caffeine consumption worldwide, but although it has been linked to multiple health benefits, the question of how much coffee is actually safe to drink remains ongoing, Euronews reports.

The American Heart Association has now stated that consuming up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day, equivalent to around five cups of coffee, is generally safe for most adults and may be associated with better heart health.

"The equivalent of up to five cups of caffeinated coffee a day, without added sugar, is safe and does not increase cardiovascular risk," said Gregory M. Marcus, co-author of the paper and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco.

The analysis showed that this amount was also associated with a lower risk of several cardiovascular conditions, including heart failure, heart disease and stroke, as well as hypertension and type 2 diabetes in some individuals.

The lowest risk of mortality was observed with moderate levels of intake, between two and four cups per day.

Coffee is the main source of caffeine for most adults, but tea, chocolate, soft drinks, and over-the-counter and prescription medications also contribute to daily intake.

The authors note that much less is known about caffeine from these other sources, especially in high doses such as those found in energy drinks, which may cause cardiovascular harm and require further research.

The caffeine consumed in coffee is metabolised in the liver and generally reaches peak concentrations in most people within an hour.

However, the way individuals process caffeine depends on their genetics, metabolism, age and previous intake.

When larger amounts of caffeinated coffee are consumed regularly, some people may develop a tolerance to higher levels of caffeine, while others may experience stronger effects from the same amount.

Although research suggests that caffeine consumption may be associated with certain cardiovascular benefits for some people, Marcus pointed out that it is important to remember that there is no "one-size-fits-all" strategy for safe caffeine consumption.

"What may be a reasonable amount for one person may cause unwanted effects, such as heart palpitations, anxiety or sleep disturbances in another," Marcus said, adding that it is crucial to pay attention to how each person's body responds to caffeine.

At the same time, researchers noted that not all ways of consuming coffee are equally beneficial for heart health.

Large amounts of added sugar, flavoured syrups and dairy products can significantly increase calorie intake and neutralize the potential health benefits associated with coffee itself.