As long as you don’t overindulge in coffee, there are actually some proven health benefits that come with your morning cup of joe, including benefits for your heart.
If you can keep your coffee as clean as possible by not adding too much sugar, milk, or syrups, the drink can not only wake you up, but give your health a little kick as well. A lot of studies have been conducted regarding the health benefits or drawbacks of consuming coffee, given how many people consume it daily.
Can Drinking Coffee Help Prevent Heart Failure?
Drinking one or two cups of coffee a day has been shown to reduce the risk of heart failure. Heart failure is a scary condition in which your heart cannot pump blood throughout the body, leading it to slow down.
It’s important to note that studies that found this conclusion also found that the benefit could only really be sought from coffee containing caffeine. It appears decaf does not pose the same heart failure risk reduction.
Furthermore, heart disease, one of the biggest killers of women every year, can be reduced by indulging in some java.
How Does Drinking Coffee Affect Your Risk Of Having A Stroke?
Drinking one cup of coffee per day has also been shown to decrease the risk of a stroke for women, many of whom fall victim to strokes every year; it’s the fourth leading cause of death in women.
Does Coffee Consumption Clog Your Arteries?
There used to be a belief that drinking a lot of coffee could cause a condition called aortic stiffness, where the aorta loses its flexibility over time, thus leading to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
However, this belief has been studied further, and a recent study conducted in the United Kingdom did not find any evidence that coffee consumption contributed to this heart condition.
Furthermore, there is also evidence to suggest that regular consumption of coffee can help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. This is a condition where plaque builds up in the arteries which can disrupt blood flow.
How Conclusive Are These Studies?
There are too many studies to cite, but many studies have been extensive and repetitive. This is due to inconsistent theories and misinformation regarding whether or not coffee is actually healthy.
One of the studies that found evidence for coffee reducing the risk of heart failure was conducted with a group of over 20,000 subjects, who were followed over the course of ten years.
This study was performed using information gathered by Framingham Heart Study, Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities Study, and Cardiovascular Healthy Study. Information was analyzed by a team of researchers from the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
Are People Who Have Heart Conditions Part Of These Studies?
One thing to note is that people who might be predisposed to heart conditions may not be as inclined towards drinking coffee, or may actively reduce the amount of coffee they drink. Thus, these people may not be included in many studies. There are too many studies to offer any statistics.
Does How I Brew My Coffee Contribute To Its Heart Benefits?
There isn’t any conclusive evidence in studies that show that the way you brew coffee has anything to do with its health benefits, including heart benefits.
So whether you enjoy your coffee from a drip machine, espresso maker, or pick it up at Starbucks every morning, you are getting the best of what coffee has to offer regardless.
Do Flavored Coffees And Coffee-Based Drinks Have The Same Effects?
Most dieticians and nutritionists would recommend opting for black coffee when possible. If you just can’t stomach it, try adding as little milk or sugar as possible to your coffee.
The more is added into your coffee, the more you are increasing its calories, fat content, and sugar content. Many of those elaborate coffee-based beverages from your favorite coffee shop have so much bad stuff in them, the health benefits get muted.
How Can Coffee Be Good For My Heart If It Can Also Cause Palpitations?
Some people cannot tolerate caffeine. If this is you, you shouldn’t force yourself to chug a coffee in the morning if it leaves you feeling funny.
Chances are, if you have palpitations, notice your blood pressure increasing, or feel your anxiety increase, you are drinking more caffeinated coffee than you can handle. If you’re still jonesing for that yummy taste of coffee but don’t want to risk your heart health, opt for a decaf for your second or third cup.
Are There Any Other Health Conditions Coffee Can Help Curb?
Diabetes, which can wreak havoc on many parts of the body, cannot be prevented by drinking coffee. However, some studies suggest that drinking coffee can help your body break down glucose more easily.
People who drink coffee regularly also tend to show more positive liver enzyme results, which is important for healthy liver function. Our liver is one of the most important organs in our body to help filter out any toxins and break down anything we ingest.
Has Coffee Been Linked To Any Cancer Reduction?
There are some studies that have been done concerning colorectal cancer, which is a risk factor for many women. These studies found that women who consumed coffee were 26% less likely to develop this type of cancer.
How Much Coffee Is Too Much Coffee?
You want to listen to your body when trying to determine how much coffee is too much for you. Having too much caffeine can cause heart palpitations, which are not great for your heart to endure consistently.
For women, unless they are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to stick to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day or less. For men, the recommendation is about the same.
These recommendations are for healthy adults. Anyone who might have a heart condition, other health condition, or is on medication may want to talk to their doctor to see if their recommended daily amount should be adjusted.
Children should also not be given access to coffee, and their caffeine intake should be minimal and heavily monitored.
Hi, I’m Jen Williams, chief editor and writer for ThirstPerk.com.
I’ve been drinking coffee and tea for most of my life, but it wasn’t until I started working at Thirstperk.com that I became an expert on the subject. I’m a total caffeine addict who has spent hours upon hours reading about and experimenting with the different types of coffees out there in my search to find the perfect cup of joe.
I’ve been a tea lover for as long as I can remember as well. I grew up in a house with a mom who loved to drink herbal tea, and I think that’s where my love for tea first began. These days, I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting teas to try, and I love experimenting with different brewing methods and flavoring combinations.