If you rely on a constant stream of coffee to get through the week, listen up.
Coffee fans can finally bask in the knowledge that knocking back multiple cups per day isn’t bad for their heart health, after a new study found people who drank up to 25 cups a day did not experience any adverse issues.
Some previous studies have suggested that coffee stiffens arteries, puts pressure on the heart and increases the likelihood of heart attack or stroke, with drinkers warned to cut down their consumption of the caffeinated drink.
But a new study of more than 8,000 people across the UK found that drinking five cups a day, and even up to 25, was no worse for the arteries than drinking less than a cup a day.
The research, part-funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), is being presented at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference in Manchester.
Experts from Queen Mary University of London divided 8,412 people into three groups for the study. The first group was made up of people who drink less than one cup of coffee a day, the second was of those who drink between one and three cups a day, and the third those who drink more than three.
Some people drank up to 25 cups a day in the latter group, although the average number consumed in this group was five cups a day. Even those drinking up to 25 cups a day were no more likely to have stiffening of arteries than those who drank less than one, researchers found.
All the participants in the latest study underwent MRI heart scans and infrared pulse wave tests, and the results held true even after factors such as age, weight and smoking status were taken into account.
Dr Kenneth Fung, from Queen Mary University of London, said: “Despite the huge popularity of coffee worldwide, different reports could put people off from enjoying it. Whilst we can’t prove a causal link in this study, our research indicates coffee isn’t as bad for the arteries as previous studies would suggest.
“Although our study included individuals who drink up to 25 cups a day, the average intake amongst the highest coffee consumption group was five cups a day.
“We would like to study these people more closely in our future work so that we can help to advise safe limits.”
Professor Metin Avkiran, associate medical director at the BHF, said the study “rules out one of the potential detrimental effects of coffee on our arteries”.