Chemicals in Coffee Appear to Combat Blood Vessel Aging, Researchers Say Sept.1, 2010 (Stockholm, Sweden) -- Older people with high blood pressure who drink one to two cups of coffee a day have more elastic blood vessels than people who drink less or more, Greek researchers report. As we age, our
blood vessels get stiffer, and that's thought to increase the risk of high blood pressure. The new findings suggest moderate coffee drinking may counteract this process. Previous research has shown conflicting results as to
whether coffee is good or bad for the heart. The new study involved 485 men and women, aged 65 to 100, who live on a small island called Ikaria, in the Aegean Sea, where more than a third of people live to celebrate their 90th birthday. "We were aiming to evaluate the secrets of the long-livers of Ikaria," says study head Christina Chrysohoou, BSc, of the University of
Athens. She presented the findings at the European Society of Cardiology Congress. Participants, all of whom had high blood pressure, underwent imaging scans to measure the stiffness of their blood vessels. Of the total, 33% of participants drank no coffee or less than one cup of coffee a day, 56% drank one to two cups, and 11% drank three or more cups a day. People
who drank one to two cups of coffee a day had about a 25% greater elasticity in their major blood vessels than people who drank less coffee or none at all. Their blood vessel elasticity was about five times greater than people who drank three or more cups a day. The analysis took into account factors that can affect blood vessel aging -- age, gender, smoking, education, physical activity, body weight,
blood pressure, nutritional habits, and diabetes. The study also showed that people who drank one to two cups of coffee a day were less likely to have diabetes, high cholesterol, cardiovascular
disease, or to be overweight, compared to people who drank more coffee or less coffee, Chrysohoou says. Most of the men and women drank traditional Greek coffee in small, espresso-sized cups. Greek coffee is considerably stronger, with more
caffeine, than espresso, Chrysohoou tells WebMD. She credits compounds, including flavonoids, magnesium, potassium,
niacin, and vitamin E, for combating blood vessel aging by blocking
the damaging oxidation process and reducing harmful inflammation. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals. This, in turn, can start chain reactions that damage cells. Traditional Greek coffee contains more of these chemicals than most other types of coffee as it is unfiltered and boiled, Chrysohoou says. "We recommend hypertensive patients drink coffee in moderation, just one to two cups a day, as it seems that it may improve arterial aging," Chrysohoou says. One
limitation of the study is that participants drank their coffee in cafes with friends or with family at home, in a relaxed atmosphere. Therefore, the psychological benefits of socializing on heart health may help explain the findings. American Heart Association spokesman Ray Gibbons, MD, tells WebMD that he is
skeptical of the results. "I'm concerned whether this finding could be reproduced," he says. Other factors in the Greek lifestyle, such as the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet, could explain the results, Gibbon says. This study was presented at a medical conference. The findings should be considered preliminary as they have not yet
undergone the "peer review" process, in which outside experts scrutinize the data prior to publication in a medical journal. Coffee is one of the world’s most beloved beverages. In fact, people across the globe consume close to 19 billion pounds (8.6 billion kg) annually (1). If you’re a coffee drinker, you’re probably well acquainted with the “coffee buzz” that arrives not long after those first few sips. Even the aroma alone can begin to perk you up. However, there has been some debate as to whether regular coffee consumption is really good for you — especially in light of its impact on blood pressure and heart health. This article tells you whether coffee affects your blood pressure — and whether you should consider dialing back your daily java fix. Science suggests that the physiological effects of drinking coffee can extend beyond a small dose of wakefulness. Research indicates that it may increase blood pressure for a short time after consumption. A review of 34 studies showed that 200–300 mg of caffeine from coffee — approximately the amount you’d consume in 1.5–2 cups — resulted in an average increase of 8 mm Hg and 6 mm Hg in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively (2). This effect was observed for up to three hours after consumption, and results were similar in people with normal blood pressure at baseline and those with pre-existing high blood pressure. Interestingly, regular coffee consumption is not associated with the same impact on blood pressure — which may be due to the caffeine tolerance that develops when you habitually drink it (2). Based on this data, a small to moderate increase in your blood pressure may occur after drinking a cup of coffee — especially if you drink it infrequently. Summary Though coffee may increase your blood pressure temporarily right after drinking it, this effect doesn’t seem to extend far beyond the short term. For people with high blood pressure, current research suggests that daily coffee consumption is unlikely to have a significant impact on blood pressure or overall risk of heart disease (2). In fact, coffee may provide some health benefits. For otherwise healthy people, research indicates that drinking 3–5 cups of coffee daily is linked to a 15% reduction in heart disease risk and a lower risk of premature death (3). Coffee contains multiple bioactive compounds that are known to have strong antioxidant effects and may reduce oxidative stress in your body (4 , 5). Some researchers theorize that coffee’s health benefits may outweigh any potential negative effects that the caffeine could have on those who drink it regularly (2). Still, more research is needed to better understand how coffee affects human health in the long term. For now, it appears to be perfectly safe and may even be a useful habit to have. Summary For most people, moderate coffee consumption is unlikely to have a significant effect on blood pressure or heart disease risk — even if you have been previously diagnosed with high blood pressure. In fact, the opposite may be true. Some of the bioactive compounds present in coffee may offer health benefits, including reduced oxidative stress and inflammation (2, 4, 5). Of course, excessive exposure to caffeine is ill-advised, especially if you already have high blood pressure. If you don’t already drink coffee regularly, you may want to wait until your blood pressure is under control before adding this beverage to your routine, as it may increase your blood pressure in the short term. Keep in mind that eating or drinking too much of anything can lead to negative health effects — coffee is no exception. It’s always important to maintain balance in your lifestyle and dietary habits. Regular physical activity paired with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean protein and whole grains remain among some of the best ways to promote healthy blood pressure and heart health (6). Focusing on these kinds of healthy behaviors is likely a better use of your energy than being overly concerned about your coffee intake. Summary Coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages, but it has been blamed for causing high blood pressure. Research indicates that coffee may lead to short-term increases in blood pressure. However, no long-term associations with increases in blood pressure or risk of heart disease have been found in people who drink it regularly. Rather, coffee may promote heart health due to its high antioxidant content. Although more research is needed, drinking coffee in moderation is likely a safe habit for most people. How much coffee should you drink if you have high blood pressure?However, if you're concerned about caffeine's effect on your blood pressure, try limiting the amount of caffeine you drink to 200 milligrams a day — about the same amount as is generally in one to two 8-ounce cups of brewed black coffee.
What kind of coffee should you drink if you have high blood pressure?As coffee contains many different compounds aside from caffeine, other compounds could be responsible for its effects on blood pressure. However, a person could try switching to decaffeinated coffee to see whether their blood pressure decreases.
Will quitting coffee lower blood pressure?Lower Blood Pressure: Quitting caffeine can lower your blood pressure and take pressure off of your heart. Improved Sleep: Because it has a relatively long half-life, caffeine can negatively impact sleep long after you've consumed it.
Can I drink coffee while on blood pressure medication?Since caffeine can reduce the efficacy of beta-blockers, it is advisable to avoid drinking excess coffee while taking these medications. Beta-blockers are medications used in the treatment of hypertension and heart disease.
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Should you drink coffee if you have high blood pressure
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