Up to five cups of coffee a day may benefit heart health - Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health

What the report says

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health reported that most adults can consume as much as 400 milligrams of caffeine per day — roughly the caffeine in up to five 8-ounce cups of coffee — and that moderate intake may be associated with cardiovascular benefits. The article, published July 23, 2026, summarizes a July 20 American Heart Association scientific statement in Circulation.

Frank Hu, chair of Harvard Chan School’s Department of Nutrition and a professor of nutrition and epidemiology, served as vice chair and co-author of the AHA statement. According to Harvard’s account, the statement reviewed current evidence on caffeine and heart health and identified remaining research gaps. The authors said moderate caffeine use appears, for some people, to be linked with lower risk of conditions such as heart failure, heart disease and stroke.

The same review drew a distinction between moderate consumption and higher-dose caffeine exposure. Harvard reported that regular intake of larger amounts, including doses found in some energy drinks, may raise the risk of high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythm. The statement also noted that coffee is the best-studied caffeine source, so possible benefits may reflect other coffee compounds rather than caffeine alone.

For people who drink coffee, the statement described paper-filtered or instant coffee as healthier options and advised limiting additions such as sugar, creamers and flavored syrups. Harvard’s article also said more research is needed on why people respond differently to caffeine and how various caffeine sources affect health.