AHA Links 5 Cups of Filtered Coffee Daily to Lower Heart Risk

3 articles · Updated · abcnews.com · Jul 20

Up to 5 cups of paper-filtered or instant coffee a day appears safe for most adults and is linked to lower risks of stroke, heart failure and type 2 diabetes, the American Heart Association said in a new Circulation statement.
Recent clinical trials reviewed by the AHA also found daily coffee cut the risk of irregular heart rhythm returning by 39% after a procedure, helping reverse years of blanket warnings against stimulants for heart patients.
The benefit did not extend to unfiltered coffee such as French press, espresso or Turkish coffee, because cafestol can raise LDL cholesterol and potentially offset heart gains.
Synthetic caffeine products drew the sharpest warning: high-caffeine energy drinks, shots and pills were tied to blood-pressure spikes, dangerous arrhythmias and even cardiac arrest.
About 400 milligrams of caffeine — roughly 3 to 5 cups — remains the general ceiling, but the AHA said genetics and existing heart conditions can sharply change individual tolerance.