Coffee Boosts Heart Health, While Energy Drinks Pose Risks
WHO:
Fortune - Gregory Marcus, M.D., who chaired the statement’s writing group and is associate chief of cardiology for research at UC San Francisco Health, stated, “up to 5 cups a day is safe and does not increase cardiovascular risk”—provided it’s black, without added sugars or fillers.
Science Daily - The American Heart Association conducted the review on caffeine consumption and heart health.
WHAT:
NBC News Health - The American Heart Association's report indicates that regular coffee consumption may be linked to lower risk of stroke, diabetes, and heart failure for some individuals.
The Mercury News - The statement from the American Heart Association noted that drinking 2 to 4 cups of coffee a day is tied to a lower risk of heart disease, heart failure, and stroke, while drinking more than 4 cups may increase the risk of heart failure.
Fortune - The review found that drinking 1 to 3 cups of coffee a day was associated with a higher risk of developing high blood pressure in people with healthy blood pressure.
Fortune - Drinking more than 3 cups a day was linked to a lower risk of developing high blood pressure.
Fortune - Drinking 2 to 4 cups of coffee a day was tied to a lower risk of heart disease, heart failure, and stroke, while drinking more than 4 cups may increase the risk of heart failure.
Fortune - The review found that higher caffeine intake from energy drinks was associated with a higher risk of high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythm, even in healthy adults under 30.
The Mercury News - The statement from the American Heart Association was released Monday.
The Mercury News - A regular brewed coffee typically has 9.4 to 20.6 mg of caffeine per fluid ounce, or about 75 to 160 mg in an 8-ounce cup.
The Mercury News - The paper noted that energy drinks typically contain 40 to 69 mg of caffeine per fluid ounce.
Science Daily - The review found that up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day, equivalent to three to five cups of regular black coffee, is generally safe for most adults.
NBC News Health - Regular coffee consumption may be linked to lower risks of heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and Type 2 diabetes.
NBC News Health - Health benefits apply to paper filtered or instant coffee.
WHERE:
Science Daily - The findings are based on research conducted by the American Heart Association, which is a national organization.
WHEN:
NBC News Health - The report indicates that the health benefits of coffee consumption are relevant for current and future dietary guidelines.
WHY:
The Mercury News - The authors of the statement called for more study to better understand the effects of caffeine from coffee and from other sources, noting that research is “challenging” due to the difficulty in separating the effects of caffeine from other compounds in coffee.
The Mercury News - The authors of the statement called for more study to better understand the effects of caffeine from coffee and from other sources.
Science Daily - The review suggests that the source of caffeine matters, as highly concentrated energy drinks can raise blood pressure and trigger irregular heart rhythms.
HOW:
Fortune - The researchers concluded that drinking caffeinated coffee black and regularly, with no additives, flavors, or sweeteners, was linked to a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes over time.
Science Daily - The review analyzed the effects of caffeine from different sources, highlighting the differences between coffee and energy drinks.
(UPDATED July 22, 2026 19:23 UTC)
A new report from the American Heart Association suggests that regular coffee consumption may be linked to a lower risk of stroke, diabetes, and heart failure for some individuals. Specifically, drinking two to four cups of coffee a day is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke, while consuming more than four cups could actually increase the risk of heart failure. The authors of the statement emphasized the need for further research to better understand the effects of caffeine, as it's challenging to isolate its impact from other compounds found in coffee.
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(UPDATED July 22, 2026 13:25 UTC)
A recent study led by Dr. Gregory Marcus, an associate chief of cardiology for research at UC San Francisco Health, found that drinking two to four cups of black coffee a day is associated with a lower risk of heart disease, heart failure, and stroke, while consuming more than four cups may actually increase the risk of heart failure. The review also highlighted that higher caffeine intake from energy drinks could lead to a greater risk of high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms, particularly in healthy adults under 30. Additionally, researchers concluded that regularly drinking caffeinated coffee black, without any additives, is linked to a reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes over time.
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(UPDATED July 22, 2026 07:50 UTC)
The American Heart Association has released a statement calling for more research to better understand the effects of caffeine from coffee and other sources. A regular brewed coffee typically contains between 9.4 and 20.6 milligrams of caffeine per fluid ounce, which translates to about 75 to 160 milligrams in an 8-ounce cup. In comparison, energy drinks usually have a higher caffeine concentration, containing 40 to 69 milligrams per fluid ounce.
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(UPDATED July 22, 2026 02:52 UTC)
A new review by the American Heart Association has found that consuming up to 400 milligrams of caffeine daily, which is about three to five cups of regular black coffee, is generally safe for most adults. The research indicates that regular coffee drinkers may experience lower risks of heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and Type 2 diabetes, with these benefits applying to both paper-filtered and instant coffee. However, the review also highlights that the source of caffeine is important, as highly concentrated energy drinks can lead to increased blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms.