Five Daily Cups of Coffee Can Be Heart-healthy, Says AHA
WHO:
The Seattle Times - The American Heart Association (AHA) is the organization providing the statement on caffeine consumption.
WHAT:
The Seattle Times - Most adults can safely drink up to five cups of coffee a day.
The Seattle Times - Drinking up to five cups of coffee, which contains about 400 mg of caffeine, is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
The Seattle Times - Regular brewed coffee typically contains 9.4 to 20.6 mg of caffeine per fluid ounce, equating to about 75 to 160 mg in an 8-ounce cup.
The Seattle Times - Caffeinated coffee is linked to a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, heart failure, and some irregular heart rhythms.
The Seattle Times - Caffeinated coffee is associated with a lower risk of atrial fibrillation but a higher risk of premature ventricular contractions.
Inc - The AHA's statement encourages coffee fans to enjoy their coffee with less guilt and anxiety.
WHERE:
The Seattle Times - The statement was published in the AHA's peer-reviewed journal Circulation.
WHEN:
The Seattle Times - The statement was released on a Monday.
WHY:
The Seattle Times - The AHA noted that higher doses of caffeine, such as those found in energy drinks, may cause cardiovascular harm.
The Seattle Times - The authors called for more study to better understand the effects of caffeine from coffee and other sources.
HOW:
The Seattle Times - The paper addressed studies on coffee’s effects on blood pressure and cholesterol, noting that such research is challenging due to the difficulty in separating the effects of caffeine from other compounds in coffee.
The Seattle Times - Most studies on caffeine are observational, meaning they cannot prove cause and effect.
(UPDATED July 23, 2026 16:26 UTC)
The American Heart Association has released a statement indicating that most adults can safely enjoy up to five cups of coffee a day, which is linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Regular brewed coffee contains between 9.4 to 20.6 milligrams of caffeine per fluid ounce, translating to about 75 to 160 milligrams in an eight-ounce cup, and is associated with a reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. However, the AHA also cautions that higher doses of caffeine, particularly from energy drinks, may pose cardiovascular risks, and they emphasize the need for further research to fully understand caffeine's effects.