Are you a coffee lover but are scared of the health issues it might cause you? Don’t worry! We have your back. Read this article to know all you need to know about coffee and its effect on your health.
One of the most popular drinks in the world is coffee. In actuality, about 19 billion pounds are consumed annually by individuals worldwide. It’s hardly surprising that millions of people can’t begin their day without a decent cup of coffee. You have more energy thanks to the caffeine in coffee, and starting your day with a customary routine will help you become used to it. Do the disadvantages of your preferred morning pick-me-up exist?
The “coffee buzz” that develops shortly after those first few drinks is undoubtedly well-known to coffee drinkers. You can start to feel more energetic just by the smells.
The benefits of frequent coffee intake have been questioned, particularly in light of how it affects blood pressure and heart health.
While coffee has advantages, there are also worries regarding its association with cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Whether caffeine might increase blood pressure or exacerbate hypertension is a common question. Your inquiries will all be addressed in this manual.
You may learn whether coffee affects your blood pressure in this article and whether you should think about cutting back on your daily java fix.
Table of Contents
Coffee and your blood pressure
Is coffee bad for high blood pressure? A fresh look
Most medical professionals advise patients to abstain from coffee and other caffeinated beverages before measuring their blood pressure. It’s accepted wisdom based on the idea that caffeine increases blood pressure to a point where it tampers with an accurate reading. Medical research, however, has been contradictory; some studies relate coffee consumption to hypertension, while others do not; a 1987 Italian study, however, raises the possibility that coffee may actually assist lower blood pressure.
After carefully weighing these opposing viewpoints, researchers from Switzerland and the United States decided to take another look by conducting in-depth tests on 15 volunteers. All participants were healthy nonsmokers without high blood pressure, and just six drank coffee frequently.
Before and after consuming a triple espresso, before and after drinking a triple espresso that was decaffeinated, before and after receiving an intravenous injection of 250 mg of caffeine, and before and after receiving an intravenous placebo, the researchers monitored each volunteer’s blood pressure, heart rate, and sympathetic nervous system under four conditions (salt solution).
The spike from a triple espresso was also felt in blood pressure levels. But even while all of the patients’ blood caffeine levels increased to a similar extent, not all of them noticed an increase in blood pressure. In reality, espresso did not increase the blood pressure of regular coffee drinkers. Still, it did increase the systolic and diastolic pressures of non-coffee drinkers by an average of 13 mm Hg and 7 mm Hg, respectively.
Though espresso has a lot of caffeine, an intravenous dose should be even stronger. Indeed, the caffeine injections and the espresso caused a similar increase in blood caffeine levels. However, plain caffeine raised systolic blood pressure by an average of only 6 mm Hg, which was far less than the espresso’s effect on blood pressure. Additionally, both coffee drinkers and non-drinkers had similar reactions to intravenous caffeine.
Numerous complicated chemicals can be found in a single cup of coffee. The difference between espresso and pure caffeine shows there may be more to the blood pressure-raising effects of caffeine than is commonly believed. The caffeine-free espresso provided evidence. Although the average systolic blood pressure of the nondrinkers increased by 12 mm Hg, almost as much as the high-test brew, it did not increase the levels of caffeine in the blood.
Coffee and your blood pressure
The study contributes to the explanation of why past studies yielded such inconsistent outcomes. Young individuals seem more susceptible to coffee, which elevates blood pressure in those who are not acclimated to it but are not habitual coffee consumers. Additionally, components other than caffeine appear to be responsible for coffee’s hypertensive effects. People who regularly drink coffee become accustomed to these substances and have no more than a slight increase in blood pressure. Still, those who are not frequent coffee users should anticipate a slight rise in blood pressure after consuming regular or decaf.
Coffee and your health
A heart attack or stroke can be predicted mainly by blood pressure. Does coffee live up to its image as a cause of heart disease, even if it doesn’t elevate blood pressure in regular drinkers? Harvard researchers examined the effects of coffee drinking on the incidence of coronary artery disease or stroke during two years in 45,589 males between the ages of 40 and 75.
Although the association between decaf and an increased risk of heart disease was weak, regular coffee has proven safe. Even more encouraging was the Scottish Heart Health Study, which found that people who consume coffee have a lower risk of developing heart disease, with heavy drinkers benefiting the most. Additionally, even in patients who have recently suffered a heart attack, coffee does not appear to induce significant heart rhythm issues, even though some coffee drinkers find a feeling of a quick heartbeat annoying.
The benefits of coffee extend far beyond the circulatory system; it is a complex beverage. Some people benefit from enhanced alertness, while others have insomnia, anxiety, or tremors due to coffee’s neurological effects. Regular coffee drinkers develop a modest reliance on the drug. Thus abrupt cessation can result in transient headaches or despair. A sharp rise or fall in coffee consumption can cause a migraine attack in patients.
Coffee drinkers may experience increased bowel motility that helps them avoid constipation, but some may also get gastroesophageal reflux disease and heartburn.
Coffee drinkers may experience a lower risk of developing diabetes, gallstones, and kidney stones, according to studies from Harvard, while Italian research may offer some protection against colon cancer. Contrary to popular opinion, coffee does not dehydrate you, although it can be difficult for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia because it increases urine flow.
The effects of coffee on metabolism are still being studied. While filtered, perked, and instant coffee does not elevate blood cholesterol levels, boiled, plunger pot, Turkish, and espresso coffee cans. For some asthmatics, coffee’s moderate bronchial tube-widening effects are beneficial.
The intricate relationship between coffee and blood pressure comes down to this: You have a choice regarding coffee. Drink as much coffee as you want if you like it. But if it irritates you, cut back or stop altogether.
The most significant rules are common sense and temperance until every bit of scientific data is in. Don’t let the debate about whether or not to consume coffee lead to discussions that could make you feel anxious.
It may increase blood pressure temporarily
Because caffeine is vasoconstrictor, it shrinks blood vessels and may increase blood pressure. By interacting with several receptors in the brain, caffeine has an effect. Other components of coffee, like antioxidants, are thought by experts to protect blood arteries.
As of now, there is still some debate over the advantages and disadvantages of coffee use.
Science indicates that coffee consumption may have physiological benefits beyond a minimal amount of wakefulness. According to research, it could temporarily raise blood pressure after consumption.
According to an analysis of 34 research, consuming between 200 and 300 mg of caffeine from coffee—about 1.5 to 2 cups—caused an average rise in systolic and diastolic blood pressure of 8 and 6 millimetres of mercury, respectively.
The outcomes were comparable in persons with normal baseline blood pressure and those who already had high blood pressure and were monitored for up to three hours after ingestion.
Interestingly, frequent coffee use affects blood pressure differently; this may be because habitual coffee drinkers build a tolerance to the stimulant.
According to this information, a minor to moderate rise in blood pressure may occur after consuming a cup of coffee, mainly if you drink it infrequently.
How long does caffeine raise my blood pressure?
Caffeine starts working swiftly and can affect blood pressure practically immediately. After consuming coffee, you might experience changes in your blood pressure within 30 to 60 minutes. After a few hours without caffeine, blood pressure levels will often return to normal.
Do you want to know how caffeine-containing drinks affect your blood pressure? Before consuming caffeine, take your blood pressure to acquire a baseline reading. Then, 30 to 90 minutes later, take another lesson. Even a 5- to 10-point rise in blood pressure can signal that caffeine affects your blood pressure. However, if your blood pressure is ordinarily normal, a brief little increase in blood pressure usually won’t result in any health hazards. Blood pressure only risks your health when it is continuously high for several weeks.
Long-term effects of drinking coffee
According to a 2017 research, increased coffee consumption is linked to a slight drop in hypertension.
The risk was shown to be 9% lower when 7 cups were consumed daily, and it decreased by 1% with each additional mug.
The same review speculated that advantageous coffee constituents such as phenols might have a protective impact. The researchers also mentioned that a person’s caffeine metabolism might differ depending on their genetic makeup.
Should people with hypertension avoid coffee?
According to a 2017 analysis, people with high blood pressure should drink coffee with some caution but are not required to refrain from doing so.
Despite earlier reports linking coffee consumption to hypertension, the review concluded that more recent studies suggested that 3–4 cups per day had either a favourable or neutral effect.
All forms of coffee raised blood pressure in a 2016 study of 40 healthy habitual coffee consumers, although the levels stayed within healthy ranges.
There was a brief but detectable rise in blood pressure three hours after intake.
According to several studies, the quantity of coffee consumed will decide how it affects blood pressure.
Only those who did not regularly drink coffee showed an increase in systolic blood pressure, according to a 2015 study. A different study discovered that consuming more than three cups of coffee daily did not increase the risk of hypertension. However, drinking 1-3 cups daily was linked to a modestly increased risk.
Should you avoid coffee if you have high blood pressure?
Even if you have had a high blood pressure diagnosis in the past, moderate coffee drinking is unlikely to have a significant impact on your risk of heart disease or blood pressure.
The exact reverse might be the case.
Some of the bioactive substances found in coffee may have health advantages, such as lowering inflammation and oxidative stress (2, 4, 5).
Of course, if you already have high blood pressure, consuming too much caffeine is not a good idea.
Coffee may temporarily raise blood pressure, so if you don’t currently drink it frequently, you might want to wait until your blood pressure is under control before starting. Remember that anything you consume in excess, including coffee, can negatively affect your health. It’s crucial to always keep your eating and lifestyle in balance.
One of the best methods to support healthy blood pressure and heart health is regular exercise and a diet high in fruits, vegetables, lean protein, and whole grains.
It is probably a better use of your energy to concentrate on these healthy activities than to spend too much time worrying about your coffee consumption.
Does decaf coffee raise blood pressure?
Coffee contains a variety of other substances in addition to caffeine. Thus those substances may be to blame for coffee’s effects on blood pressure. To check if their blood pressure falls, a person could try switching to decaffeinated coffee.
When to stop drinking coffee
For some people, consuming coffee results in tremors, anxiety, or insomnia. Others might catch heartburn and reflux. Avoid drinking coffee if you have these symptoms because they may be related to it.
According to researchers, regular coffee drinkers may face withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches and low mood, if they abruptly quit taking it. As a result, if they want to reduce their consumption, they should progressively lower the number of cups.
In a review published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology, the authors highlight that some physicians advise patients with atrial fibrillation or other disorders characterised by an erratic heartbeat to abstain from coffee.
However, scientists concluded that consuming up to 300 milligrams of caffeine daily appears to be safe and may even be beneficial for preventing cardiac rhythm problems.
However, the experts advised against drinking coffee if there is a definite link between arrhythmia episodes and caffeine.
You may wish to forgo your morning coffee as well as your midday cup if you suffer any of the following symptoms:
- Anxiety
- Difficulty sleeping
- Shakiness or muscle tremors
- Diarrhoea or acid reflux
- Palpitations or a racing heart
Suppose you’re expecting, attempting to get pregnant, or using any medications that may interfere with caffeine. In that case, limiting or avoiding caffeine-containing beverages like coffee, energy drinks, and other caffeinated drinks (including certain antibiotics, antidepressants, or asthma medications) is advised.
Reduce your use of coffee and other caffeinated beverages if you suffer from anxiety because caffeine has also increased stress levels.
Particularly if you have a habit of using caffeine, we advise progressively weaning yourself off with the help of a doctor or healthcare professional. Long-term coffee consumers may experience withdrawal symptoms like headaches, exhaustion, and irritability if they stop drinking caffeine abruptly.
Alternatives to coffee
If you find yourself unable to function without caffeine, you might depend on it. You can still get an energy boost or a gentle wake-up from using caffeine alternatives.
Here are some alternatives you can try:
- Although chicory root “coffee” won’t offer you an energy boost, it tastes like regular coffee and may provide the needed break from caffeine. Additionally, it enhances digestion and may prevent the onset of diabetes, though more extensive trials are required to establish this.
- Maca: This plant may improve mental clarity. A few scoops of maca can be added to smoothies.
- Ginseng tea: Ginseng is a beautiful caffeine substitute because it not only replenishes your energy but may also help you think more clearly and stay awake. However, before using ginseng, talk to your doctor because it can have harmful side effects and worsen existing health conditions.
- Peppermint tea: This energising beverage can boost morning energy and prepare you for the day.
- Golden milk is an Indian beverage made with turmeric, non-dairy milk, and flavorful spices like ginger and cinnamon. In addition to tasting delicious, a warm cup of golden milk may also aid in lessening inflammation and upset stomach.
How much is caffeine too much?
Caffeine consumption for adults should not go over 400 mg. This would be equivalent to about four cups of coffee, which is usually more than enough for the average adult. A little bit more than this shouldn’t be an issue, but consuming more than 1,200 mg can have serious adverse effects, including seizures.
When to see a doctor
Someone may want to consult a doctor if they have any troublesome symptoms after drinking coffee. Anyone who notices their blood pressure rising should consult a doctor.
Outlook
According to research, coffee can be used by those with high blood pressure as long as they exercise caution.
Regular coffee consumers might tolerate the physiological effects of coffee, whereas occasional users might have their blood pressure rise.
Let’s wrap it up
One of the most consumed beverages in the world, coffee has been linked to elevated blood pressure.
According to research, drinking coffee may cause temporary rises in blood pressure.
However, habitual drinkers have not been linked to elevated blood pressure or an increased risk of heart disease over the long term.
Instead, coffee may help maintain heart health because of its rich antioxidant content. Even though further research is required, most people can probably avoid consuming coffee in moderation.
Summary
Coffee might be appropriate and even beneficial for those with high blood pressure. However, people should know their tolerance levels for coffee and how their bodies respond to caffeine.
A person should consult a doctor if they have concerns about their blood pressure.
