A new scientific study reveals the daily amount of caffeine that should not be exceeded to avoid increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Consuming more than 400 mg of caffeine per day may increase people’s susceptibility to cardiovascular disease.
- That’s about 4 cups of coffee, 10 cans of soda, or 2 energy drinks.
- Chronic excessive caffeine consumption impacts the autonomic nervous system and leads, among other things, to an increase in blood pressure.
Whether you’re a tea or coffee drinker… your favorite beverage contains caffeine. While this substance is touted to give you a boost, it can also be harmful when consumed in excess.
Drinking more than 400 mg of caffeine a day most days of the week could increase your risk of cardiovascular disease, even if you’re otherwise healthy, a new study suggests.
This work is presented at the cardiology congress ACC Asia 2024 which is being held in Delhi from 16th to 18th August 2024.
Caffeine: More than 4 cups raises blood pressure
To assess the health effects of caffeine, researchers followed 92 healthy people aged 18 to 45 for more than a year. The study focused on their consumption of tea and coffee, but also soft drinks such as Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Red Bull, Sting and Monster. Their heart rate and blood pressure were measured before and after a stress test.
The result: 19.6% of participants drank more than 400 mg of caffeine daily. That’s about four cups of coffee, 10 cans of soda, or two energy drinks. But this “chronic” consumption was found to have a significant impact on the autonomic nervous system: it increased heart rate and blood pressure over time.
Furthermore, participants who consumed the highest amounts (more than 600 mg of caffeine per day) had significantly elevated heart rates and blood pressure after five minutes of rest following the tests.
The research also profiled caffeine addicts. Women, employed in sales and management roles and living in urban areas, had the highest daily intakes.
Coffee: regular consumption exposes people to cardiovascular diseases
Researchers say excess caffeine and its consequences can put consumers’ cardiovascular health at risk.
“Due to its effect on the autonomic nervous system, regular caffeine consumption may put otherwise healthy people at risk for hypertension and other cardiovascular events.”explains lead author Nency Kagathara of Zydus Medical College and Hospital (India) in a press release.
For the team behind this work, it is essential to raise awareness among the population of the risks of high caffeine consumption in order to “to improve heart health for all.”
