A study shows that up to 25 cups of coffee a day are safe for heart health

Aficionados receive conflicting messages about their favorite drink. Some research suggests that coffee consumption can improve health, while other studies advise people to reduce their consumption. Previous studies have suggested that coffee can cause stiffening of the arteries, put pressure on the heart and increase the risk of stroke or heart attack.

But a new study, funded in part by the British Heart Foundation, revealed that drinking five cups of coffee a day was not worse for the arteries than drinking less than a cup. The study of more than 8,000 people across the UK also found that even those who drank up to 25 cups a day were no more likely to experience stiffening of the arteries than those who drank less. a cup a day.

In the latest study, presented Monday at the British Cardiovascular Society conference, scientists from Queen Mary University in London divided 8,412 people into three groups, each reporting its own coffee consumption. The first group consisted of people who reported drinking less than a cup of coffee a day; the second included those who drank between one and three cups; and the third group included those who drank more than three, some drinking up to 25 cups a day. People who consume more than 25 cups of coffee a day are excluded.

"What we found was that drinking more than three cups of coffee a day did not significantly increase the rigidity of the blood vessels compared to people drinking a cup or less a day," he said. said Kenneth Fung, who led the data analysis at Queen Mary University. London, told CNN.

"The main message to remember from people is that coffee can be enjoyed as part of a healthy lifestyle and that coffee lovers can be reassured by this result in terms of results on the rigidity of the blood vessels. "

Although some study participants drank 25 cups a day, the average consumption of the highest-consuming group of coffee was five cups a day.

"We do not tell people to drink 25 cups a day per se.If you drink under the recommended conditions, we do not expect an increase in arterial stiffness compared to those who drink one cup or less a day," he added.

Research has also shown that moderate and strong coffee drinkers are more likely to be men, to smoke and to consume alcohol regularly.

Professor Metin Avkiran, Associate Medical Director at the British Heart Foundation, said in a press release: "There are several conflicting studies that say different things about coffee, and it can be difficult to filter what we should believe and What we should not do This I hope the research will put some of the media stories in perspective because it eliminates one of the potential adverse effects of coffee on our arteries. "