Coffee consumption dates back to the 30th century in Ethiopia and Arabia, especially in the Muslim world. It is one of the most widely consumed products, and it is estimated that at least XNUMX% of the world's population consumes a cup of coffee a day.
For years, coffee consumption has been demonized, considering it a food that is harmful to health. Today, we know that coffee provides multiple benefits to our body: caffeine is a natural accelerator of metabolism, which helps burn fat, provides nutrients, vitamins and minerals, is a source of antioxidants that are necessary to delay the natural aging process and decreases the likelihood of developing diseases such as type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cirrhosis and some types of cancer such as liver and colon cancer.
But… what effects does it have on our hearts?
Recent research has concluded that drinking this beverage is not only not harmful to the health of our heart, but can also protect us from cardiovascular diseases. A study revealed that people who drink around four cups of coffee a day reduced their risk of death by 14%.
Caffeine slightly increases heart rate and can sometimes raise blood pressure only slightly. However, there is no reason why a well-controlled hypertensive patient should not drink coffee. Likewise, there is no scientific evidence that caffeine
cause cardiac arrhythmias; in this regard, a study was published in which it was observed that coffee consumption decreased the risk of arrhythmias, especially of suffering from atrial fibrillation and supraventricular tachycardias.
If I have had a heart attack or have heart failure, can I drink coffee?
The general conclusion is that moderate caffeine consumption does not constitute an increased risk of myocardial infarction. Regarding heart failure, an American study showed a decreased risk of developing heart failure in patients with moderate coffee consumption. Everything seems to indicate that there is a limit of consumption that, once exceeded, can cause an increase in cardiovascular risk. However, due to the individual susceptibility that may exist with respect to the effects of coffee in each person, and considering the particular medical aspects of each patient, it is advisable that patients with heart disease discuss this aspect with their cardiologist to determine whether or not there is an individual risk in consumption.
So what is the recommended amount of coffee?
Although no threshold has been defined above which caffeine consumption may be harmful, it is suggested that a regular intake of up to 300 mg per day appears to be safe. Anyone, regardless of whether they have high blood pressure or another heart disease, can, in principle, drink 3 or 4 cups of coffee per day.
By Dr. Teresa Alvarado , UICAR specialist