A new study has revealed the impact coffee and energy drinks could be having on the hearts of adults.
Researchers from the American Heart Association found that caffeine, the most widely used stimulant in the world, can positively or negatively impact your health depending on what source it comes from and what your intake is in a day.
The new scientific analysis, published in AHA Journals, suggests “most adults can safely consume up to five 8-ounce cups of regular black caffeinated coffee per day”. This level of consumption may even be associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, such as stroke and heart failure, in some adults.
Chair of the scientific statement volunteer writing group, Gregory Marcus, said: “Caffeine consumed in coffee is a key part of daily life for millions of people, and in our review of the most recent research, for most adults, intake of up to 400mg of caffeine a day, the equivalent of up to five cups of caffeinated coffee a day without added sugars or fillers, is safe and does not increase cardiovascular risk.”
However, high caffeine intake may pose greater risks, especially when consumed from high-dose sources like energy drinks and energy shots, which can contain three to four times more caffeine than regular coffee.
He added: “However, high doses of caffeine, such as those found in energy drinks, including energy shots, may have harmful effects on the heart and should be avoided.”
The typical cup of coffee’s caffeine levels vary from 9.5mg to 20.6mg of caffeine per fluid ounce, compared to the 40mg to 69mg of caffeine found in some energy drink shots.
High doses of caffeine, such as those found in energy drinks or energy shots, can cause a significant increase in blood pressure and a risk of abnormal heart rhythms.
Inside the body, caffeine from coffee is processed by the liver and reaches its highest concentration within an hour, where it may cause short-term increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar, as well as alertness.
Participant-reported health information suggested that consuming one to three cups of caffeinated coffee per day was not associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation – an irregular heart rhythm which increases stroke risk – or abnormal heart rhythm.
But very high caffeine doses, like those from energy drinks and energy shots, have been linked to abnormal heart rhythms in people who are normally considered low-risk for cardiovascular disease.
The researchers have called for more trials examining coffee and other caffeinated products. They say despite caffeine benefiting some people, “it’s important to remember that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ strategy for safe caffeine consumption”, and people can respond differently based on individual factors like age, genetics, and health conditions.
