For years, doctors told patients with heart conditions to give up coffee. Now, the American Heart Association (AHA) says otherwise: A new scientific statement says that up to five cups a day are safe for most adults — and may actually be protective. The statement, backed by a review of the latest research, links moderate coffee drinking to a lower risk of high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and Type 2 diabetes. For cardiologist Dr. Afshine Emrani, the news is encouraging. “Over the past decade, the evidence has steadily shifted away from the old belief that coffee is harmful for the heart,” said Emrani. He noted that earlier studies blaming coffee for heart problems often failed to fully account for other factors, such as smoking, that may have skewed the results. Dr. Gregory M. Marcus, who chaired the AHA committee that wrote the statement, said the group wasn’t surprised that coffee turned out to be safe. What surprised them was how consistently the data pointed to real benefits. The statement indicated these key points:
- • Up to 5 8-oz cups of coffee a day is safe for most adults.
- • Filtered coffee — including drip and pour-over — may be better for cholesterol than unfiltered methods such as French press or Turkish coffee.
- • Black coffee is best, as sugar, cream and flavored syrups likely cancel out some of the benefits.
- • Energy drinks are not the same as coffee because they can raise blood pressure and aren’t backed by the same research.
Coffee can now come with a little less guilt — and perhaps a little more appreciation that one of life’s simplest pleasures may also support long-term health.
