A recent study has revealed that drinking two or more cups of coffee a day may significantly increase the risk of death from heart disease for people with severe high blood pressure (160/100 mm Hg or higher).
However, drinking just one cup of coffee or consuming green tea daily showed no such risks, even though both beverages contain caffeine.
The difference lies in how caffeine affects the body, particularly in people with very high blood pressure.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an 8-ounce cup of coffee contains 80 to 100 milligrams of caffeine, while an 8-ounce cup of green or black tea has only 30 to 50 milligrams.
For individuals with severe hypertension, the higher caffeine content in multiple cups of coffee could have harmful effects.
This study builds on earlier research suggesting that coffee has health benefits in certain circumstances. For example, drinking one cup of coffee a day may help heart attack survivors reduce their risk of death and may even lower the likelihood of heart attacks or strokes in healthy people.
Regular coffee consumption has also been linked to potential benefits such as a reduced risk of chronic illnesses, better appetite control, improved mood, and heightened alertness.
However, consuming too much coffee can lead to negative effects, including increased blood pressure, anxiety, heart palpitations, and sleep disturbances. These risks become especially concerning for people with severe hypertension, who are more sensitive to caffeine.
The new study, conducted by researchers led by Hiroyasu Iso, involved over 18,500 participants aged 40 to 79. Blood pressure levels were classified into five categories, ranging from optimal (less than 130/85 mm Hg) to severe (160/100 mm Hg or higher).
Severe hypertension included those with blood pressure measurements in grades 2 (160-179/100-109 mm Hg) and 3 (180/110 mm Hg or higher).
Over nearly 19 years of follow-up, the researchers recorded 842 deaths related to cardiovascular disease. They found that people with severe high blood pressure who drank two or more cups of coffee daily were twice as likely to die from heart disease compared to those who drank no coffee.
However, for those drinking only one cup of coffee per day, the risk of heart-related death was not higher, regardless of blood pressure levels.
Green tea, on the other hand, showed no connection to an increased risk of heart disease death across any blood pressure category.
The researchers suggested that green tea’s health benefits might come from its polyphenols, which are plant-based compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
These findings highlight the importance of moderation, particularly for people with severe high blood pressure. While coffee can offer some health benefits, excessive consumption may outweigh these advantages in individuals with heightened sensitivity to caffeine.
Green tea, with its lower caffeine content and beneficial compounds, appears to be a safer alternative for those with hypertension.
The study provides valuable insights into how beverage choices can impact heart health, especially for individuals managing high blood pressure.
If you have severe hypertension, it may be wise to limit coffee intake and consider alternatives like green tea to support your overall health.
This research was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association and adds to the growing evidence that diet and lifestyle choices play a crucial role in managing heart disease risks.
If you care about alcoholism, please read studies that your age may decide whether alcohol is good or bad for you, and people over 40 need to prevent dangerous alcohol/drug interactions.
For more information about alcohol, please see recent studies about moderate alcohol drinking linked to high blood pressure, and results showing this drug combo shows promise for treating alcoholism.
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