Can I drink coffee every day instead of filtered water?

is a familiar drink, beneficial to health if consumed in moderation and safely. When the dose exceeds the threshold, coffee is no longer an “anti-drowsy substance” but becomes a factor that causes cardiovascular harm.

The reason is that caffeine is a stimulant of the sympathetic nervous system, increasing heart rate, temporarily increasing blood pressure and increasing the heart muscle’s need for oxygen. In people who already have coronary atherosclerosis, a sudden increase in blood pressure and heart rate can “trigger” a myocardial infarction or angina attack. Drinking too much causes the heart and blood vessels to be overstimulated for a long time.

Not only caffeine, unfiltered filter coffee (popular in Vietnam) also retains many oils such as cafestol and kahweol. These substances can increase bad cholesterol (LDL), reduce the liver’s ability to metabolize cholesterol, thereby promoting atherosclerosis.

Studies show that for every 5 cups of unfiltered coffee, total cholesterol can increase by about 8–10 mg/dL, and at extremely high doses (over 5–6 cups/day), LDL can increase by 15–20 mg/dL or more.

If you drink 10 glasses per day, your cafestol intake can be up to 20–30 mg, enough to directly and continuously increase total cholesterol by 10–15 mg/dL, promoting the formation of unstable atherosclerotic plaques, increasing the risk of acute myocardial infarction.

In addition, caffeine also inhibits melatonin – a hormone that regulates sleep and has antioxidant effects that protect the heart. Caffeine maintains high nocturnal cortisol levels, promoting systemic inflammation and insulin resistance. Coffee abuse increases the risk of insomnia, which is not good for the heart.

To be safe, you should limit caffeine to less than 400 mg/day for healthy people and less than 200 mg/day for people with cardiovascular disease or hypertension.

You should prioritize drinking in the morning or early afternoon, avoid drinking after 4:00 p.m. Do not combine high doses of coffee with tobacco, alcohol or prolonged late night work. Absolutely do not drink coffee instead of filtered water.