Up to 5 cups of coffee per day may potentially lower heart disease risk, doctors say - WTOP

What the report says

WTOP, carrying an ABC Radio report, says a new American Heart Association scientific statement concludes that drinking coffee in moderate amounts — up to about five cups daily — is generally safe for most adults and may be associated with lower risks of stroke, type 2 diabetes and heart failure. The statement was published Monday in the AHA journal Circulation and is presented as an effort to clarify mixed advice about caffeine and cardiovascular health.

According to the report, the review differentiates coffee made from natural beans from synthetic or highly concentrated caffeine products. It cites evidence linking regular coffee intake with a 20% to 30% lower chance of developing type 2 diabetes, and notes clinical trial findings that daily coffee was associated with a 39% reduction in recurrence risk after a procedure for an irregular heart rhythm. Dr. Jennifer Miao, identified as a board-certified cardiologist and ABC News Medical Unit Fellow, said coffee’s relationship with blood pressure remains complicated and not entirely consistent.

The report stresses that preparation matters. The AHA’s favorable associations apply to paper-filtered or instant coffee, while unfiltered methods such as French press, espresso and Turkish coffee can contain cafestol, a compound that may raise LDL cholesterol. The AHA also warns that energy drinks, shots and caffeine pills are not comparable to coffee and have been linked to blood pressure surges and heart rhythm problems.

WTOP’s report adds that caffeine tolerance varies by genetics and health status. People with heart conditions, stroke risk factors or concerns about caffeine sensitivity are advised to consult a clinician rather than increase coffee consumption for potential health benefits.