We already know that good habits are key to heart health, including a good diet (cardiologists love the Mediterranean and DASH diets), exercising regularly and keeping up with annual physicals.
That’s all fine and good, but what if we told you that a daily habit that nearly 75% of people already have may also play a role in preventing heart disease? Nice!
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The Daily Habit That May Reduce Your Heart Disease Risk
A study revealed that three cups of coffee daily (or alternatively other sources of 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine) was correlated to a 40% lower risk of several cardiovascular problems.
Related: 31 Types of Coffee Explained to Help You Find a New Favorite
Why May Coffee Be Good for Heart Health?
While caffeine is a stimulant that may make some people feel like their hearts are racing (we see you, java jitters), for the most part, people who drink around three cups of joe a day, especially and ideally in the morning, have lower blood pressure than those who don’t. That benefit may be thanks to the antioxidants in coffee. Antioxidants also help fight inflammation, which itself can lead to a host of issues—including diabetes, which is a heart disease risk factor as well.
This is all in addition to the fact that a daily cup of coffee may actually add 1.8 good years to your life, thanks to how it eases up the body’s overall stress responses.
Related: The Best Coffee Memes
Are There Downsides to Coffee?
There can be, depending on your own personal needs, caffeine tolerance and the type of coffee you consume.
If you’re having a basic cup of coffee or cold brew, you’re likely going to see more health benefits than, say, someone who slurps on a mocha frappe daily. This is because sweet, creamy coffee drinks are high in calories and sugar, which can increase risk of diabetes. Depending on the type of milk used, sweetened coffee drinks can also be high in cholesterol, which we all know is bad for heart health.
Having a little too much caffeine may trigger symptoms like anxiety, diarrhea, dehydration, headaches, insomnia, irritability and tremors.
Extreme overconsumption of caffeine (as in, more than 480 milligrams per day) can do a number on you as well, putting you at risk of heart arrhythmias, rapid heart rate, seizures, cardiac ischemia (narrowing of the arteries), hallucinations and even death.
Everyone’s tolerances are different, so if you’re considering adding a latte or Americano to your heart health regimen, run it by your doctor first.
Up Next:
Related: What Happens If You Have Coffee With Half-and-Half Every Day
Sources
- “Coffee drinking timing and mortality in US adults.” Eur Heart J.
- “The Buzz About Coffee, Chocolate and the Caffeine We Consume.” Cleveland Clinic.
