Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world.
It has been linked to several potential health benefits, including a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and liver disease.
However, concerns remain about whether coffee consumption may increase the risk of high blood pressure—a condition that affects millions globally.
In this article, we examine the evidence on the relationship between coffee drinking and hypertension.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when the force of blood against the walls of the arteries remains consistently elevated.
Over time, this increased pressure can damage blood vessels and raise the risk of serious health conditions, including heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease.
Hypertension is a common condition. In the United States, it affects roughly one in three adults, and similar prevalence rates are seen in many other countries.
What is coffee?
Coffee is brewed from roasted coffee beans and contains caffeine, a natural stimulant known to increase alertness and enhance cognitive performance.
In addition to caffeine, coffee contains antioxidants and polyphenols—bioactive compounds that have been associated with various health benefits.
Numerous studies have investigated whether coffee consumption influences blood pressure levels. The findings, however, have been mixed.
Some research suggests a positive association between coffee intake and increased blood pressure, while other studies report no significant relationship—or even a protective effect.
A meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials found that coffee consumption led to a small but statistically significant increase in blood pressure.
Importantly, this rise was temporary, with blood pressure returning to baseline levels within a few hours. Researchers suggested that caffeine is likely responsible for this short-term effect.
Another meta-analysis, which examined 15 observational studies, identified a weak positive association between coffee intake and hypertension. However, the relationship was less pronounced in studies that adjusted for confounding factors such as age, body mass index, and smoking status.
In contrast, a large prospective study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition followed more than 500,000 adults in the United Kingdom for 10 years and found no significant association between coffee consumption and the risk of developing high blood pressure.
The conflicting results across studies may reflect differences in study design, participant characteristics, and coffee consumption habits. For example, some studies included individuals who consumed large amounts of coffee, while others focused on moderate intake.
Additionally, the type of coffee consumed—black coffee versus coffee with added sugar and cream—may also influence outcomes.
The relationship between coffee consumption and high blood pressure remains complex and not fully understood. While some studies suggest that coffee may cause a small, short-term rise in blood pressure, the overall evidence does not consistently show a strong link between regular coffee consumption and long-term hypertension risk.
For most people, moderate coffee intake appears unlikely to significantly increase blood pressure. However, individuals who are sensitive to caffeine or who already have hypertension may wish to monitor their intake.
Anyone concerned about how coffee affects their blood pressure should consult a healthcare professional.
Reducing caffeine consumption or switching to decaffeinated coffee may be reasonable options. As with any dietary choice, maintaining an overall balanced and healthy lifestyle remains the most effective strategy for managing blood pressure and reducing cardiovascular risk.
