New research suggests that consuming 400 mg of caffeine per day, equivalent to 590 ml to 700 ml of coffee, may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in healthy people.
The study, conducted by experts from Zydus Medical College and Hospital in Dahod, was presented at the American College of Cardiology conference in Delhi on August 18. Lead author of the study, Dr. Nency Kagathara, said that regular caffeine consumption can disrupt the parasympathetic system, leading to increased blood pressure and heart rate.
Kagathara and colleagues measured the blood pressure and heart rate of 92 healthy people aged 18 to 45 who were in their normal physical condition at the start of the study. Nearly 20% of the volunteers consumed more than 400 mg of caffeine per day, equivalent to about four cups of coffee, 10 cans of soft drinks or two cans of energy drinks. The experts found that this group had increased heart rate and blood pressure over time.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says that consuming up to 400 mg of caffeine a day does not cause negative or dangerous effects. However, the agency notes that some people are more sensitive to caffeine. It can be metabolized at different rates.
Caffeine is a stimulant that can stimulate the production of the stress hormones noradrenaline and epinephrine, increase heart rate and blood pressure, and narrow blood vessels. However, coffee also has mood-enhancing effects and may reduce the risk of certain cancers.
Women living in large cities and working in business and management had the highest daily caffeine intake in the study, according to Dr. Kagathara. Those who consumed more than 600 mg of caffeine per day had a significant increase in heart rate and blood pressure after a 5-minute rest.
“Because of caffeine’s effects on the autonomic nervous system, regular coffee consumption may predispose healthy individuals to hypertension and other cardiovascular events. Raising awareness of this risk is important to improve cardiovascular health for all,” said Dr Kagathara.
Experts recommend that coffee drinkers exercise regularly and follow a healthy diet to keep their blood pressure in check. Dr. Benjamin Hirsh, director of preventive cardiology at North Shore University Hospital, said the new study results are noteworthy.
“The results of the study should help people realize that drinking too much coffee can put stress on the heart over time. Overdoing caffeine can help increase productivity, but health should always come first,” said Dr. Hirsh.