Is Black Coffee Good For Heart Health?

A cup of coffee in the morning is a great way to kick-start the day. It contains caffein, a stimulant that invigorates the brain, a primary reason why millions across the world look forward to drinking this popular beverage. While we know that coffee contains antioxidants that support brain health, now researchers at the American Heart Association (AHA) suggests that there is an association between coffee and heart health.

So, is black coffee good for health and more specifically good for heart health? Here we examine the findings of the AHA’s dietary analysis of coffee on heart health.

Does coffee affect your heart?

The American Heart Association (AHA) conducted 3 major studies (that began in 1948) to analyse the impact of dietary variable on heart health and concluded that increasing daily consumption of coffee is associated with decreased risks of developing heart conditions like cardiovascular disease, heart failure and stroke. However, there is not enough evidence to clearly recommend a correlation between drinking coffee and improving heart health.

The AHA studies found some interesting connection to corroborate the idea that coffee and heart health are closely associated. The FHS (Framingham Heart Study) and CHS (Cardiovascular Heart Study) studies reported a decrease in heart failure by 5% to 12% in participants who drank one cup of coffee every day, compared to the no coffee group over a period of three decades. The ARIC study (Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities) suggested that people who drank two cups of coffee each day reduced their risk of heart failure by 30%, compared to the group that drank one cup or less. The research concluded that drinking coffee is partially linked to improved heart health due to the presence of caffein in coffee.

The assumption that increasing coffee consumption can decrease risks of heart failure upsets the general thinking of people about coffee being “bad” for heart as it leads to palpitations, high blood pressure, etc.

When is coffee unhealthy?

Most people drink coffee because they love the taste, and it helps to relax after a long tiring day. Coffee contains caffeine that increase brain activity, resulting in alertness, enhanced energy and concentration. But is black coffee good for health? Yes, just remember to drink it in moderation. The federal dietary guideline suggests three to five 8-ounce cups of coffee per day, but only for black coffee.

The 3 study (FHS, CHS and ARIC) states that drinking coffee may reduce risks associated with heart failure only if it’s consumed plain without additives like sugar, high fat dairy or cream. Stay away from coffee-based beverages like lattes and macchiatos, which are typically high in calories, sugar and fat.

Avoid going over the daily recommended limit for coffee consumption as it my cause undesirable side effects. Also remember that each of us is different when it comes to caffein tolerance – some are more sensitive than others. Negative effects of caffein includes feeling jittery or irritable, heart palpitations and sleep issues.

The way you brew coffee can have health implications. While filter coffee removes cafestol (an oily compound in coffee beans), coffee brewing methods like Turkish coffee, French press or boiled coffee fails to separate it from the beverage. Cafestol is known to increase LDL (low-density lipoproteins) or bad cholesterol in the body.

The bottom line

Coffee and heart health are closely associated as per the latest studies published by the American Heart association. Just stick to plain black coffee and enjoy it in moderation. It provides some positive supports to questions like – "Is black coffee good for health?", or "Is black coffee good for heart health?". Remember, caffein cannot be a solution for good health and energy, which can only be an outcome of balanced diet, regular exercises and sound sleep.