True or false: Is your coffee habit heart-healthy?
Coffee is part of many people’s daily routines, but is your daily cup helping or hurting your heart? And, how much is too much? Cardiologist Maheer Gandhavadi, MD, separates coffee facts from fiction.
True or false?
Drinking coffee causes a lasting increase in blood pressure.
False. The caffeine in coffee can temporarily raise blood pressure, but the effect is usually short-lived. People who drink coffee regularly often develop a tolerance to caffeine, so their usual cup should have little effect on their blood pressure.
Drinking moderate amounts of coffee may benefit your heart health.
True. Studies have linked moderate coffee consumption with better heart health and a lower risk of stroke. However, drinking too much coffee may increase the risk of heart problems. For most patients, I advise not drinking more than 2 to 3 cups a day.
Adding sugar to your coffee can reduce its potential heart health benefits.
True. Research suggests that sugary coffee drinks don't offer the same heart health benefits associated with unsweetened or lightly sweetened coffee. Try limiting added sugar to make your daily cup a healthier choice.
French press coffee is just as heart-healthy as filtered coffee when it comes to cholesterol.
False. Unfiltered coffee, including French press and Turkish coffee, retains oils that can raise LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. Paper filters remove much of these oils, making filtered coffee a better choice for managing cholesterol.
The final sip: what to know about coffee and your heart
You don't necessarily have to give up your daily coffee to support your heart health. Choose filtered coffee, go easy on added sugar and enjoy it in moderation.
Maheer Gandhavadi, MD, is a board-certified cardiologist and electrophysiologist at Overlake Clinics Cardiology.
