Coffee lovers can take heart: Up to 5 cups a day appears safe for most adults, experts say - Fox News

What the report says

Fox News reports that a new scientific statement from the American Heart Association says moderate caffeine intake — up to 400 milligrams a day, or roughly five 8-ounce cups of black coffee — is generally considered safe for most healthy adults. The statement, published Monday in the journal Circulation, also links moderate coffee consumption with a lower risk of heart disease, stroke, heart failure and Type 2 diabetes.

The report emphasizes an important caveat: the apparent benefits are most consistent with plain black coffee, not drinks high in sugar, flavored syrups or heavy cream. Fox News cited South Carolina-based registered dietitian Lauren Manaker, who was not involved in the research, as saying coffee additions can change the health profile of the drink and may reduce the advantages associated with moderate consumption.

The American Heart Association also distinguished coffee from energy drinks and shots. According to the Fox News report, higher caffeine intake from those products, which may include other stimulants, has been associated with increased blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms. The report notes that caffeine tolerance varies depending on factors such as age, medications, genetics and how quickly a person metabolizes caffeine.

The findings matter because coffee is widely consumed and often debated in relation to heart health. Fox News notes that more research is still needed, particularly because much of the current evidence comes from observational studies, which can identify associations but do not by themselves prove cause and effect.