Coffee has been a favorite beverage of millions of people for centuries, and now a new study has confirmed that it is safe for heart health.

The study, published in the journal Circulation, analyzed more than 100,000 adults from six countries, including the United States, China, and Japan, and found that drinking three to five cups of coffee per day was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke.

What is Cardiovascular Disease?

Cardiovascular disease refers to a range of conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. These conditions include coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, and stroke.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, with an estimated 17.9 million deaths each year.

What is Coronary Heart Disease?

Coronary heart disease occurs when the coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart, become narrowed or blocked. This can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, and heart attacks.

Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, and it is responsible for more than 370,000 deaths each year in the United States alone.

What is a Stroke?

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted, either by a blood clot or a burst blood vessel. This can cause brain cells to die, leading to a range of symptoms, including paralysis, difficulty speaking, and vision problems.

Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide, with an estimated 5.5 million deaths each year.

The Study

The study analyzed data from more than 100,000 adults from six countries: the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Italy.

Participants were asked about their coffee consumption and other lifestyle factors, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity. The researchers then followed the participants for an average of 7.5 years to see how many developed cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, or stroke.

The results showed that drinking three to five cups of coffee per day was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke.

Participants who drank more than five cups of coffee per day did not have a significantly lower risk than those who drank three to five cups per day. The researchers also found no evidence that drinking coffee increased the risk of these conditions.

Why Might Coffee be Good for Heart Health?

Several studies have suggested that the antioxidants and other compounds in coffee may have beneficial effects on heart health. For example, coffee may help reduce inflammation, improve insulin sensitivity, and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Coffee has also been shown to have a protective effect on the liver and may reduce the risk of liver cancer.

However, it’s important to note that the benefits of coffee may depend on how it is prepared.

Adding sugar and cream to coffee can negate many of its health benefits, and drinking large amounts of caffeine can have negative effects on sleep and anxiety levels.

Other Factors That Affect Heart Health

While the new study suggests that drinking three to five cups of coffee per day may be safe for heart health, it’s important to remember that many other factors can affect heart health. These include:.

Smoking
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Obesity
Lack of physical activity
Poor diet
Stress

The Bottom Line

The new study provides further evidence that coffee is safe for heart health. Drinking three to five cups of coffee per day may even provide some protective benefits against cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and stroke.

However, it’s important to remember that the benefits of coffee may depend on how it is prepared, and that other lifestyle factors also play a major role in heart health.