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Coffee does not increase risk for arterial stiffness

According to a research, presented at the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) Conference in Manchester, individuals who drink coffee, including those who consume as high as 25 cups per day are not at risk of developing stiffer arteries.

Researchers at the Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) studied over 8,000 coffee drinkers in the UK. The participants were categorised into three groups based on their coffee intake: those who drank <1 cup per day, those who drank between 1-3 cups/day and those who drank >3 cups/day. Those consuming >25 cups/day were excluded. Arterial stiffness was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging heart scans and infrared pulse wave tests.

The findings showed that there was no association of increased arterial stiffening with coffee intake in individuals who drank as much as 25 cups a day compared with those who drank <1 cup a day. The association between coffee consumption and measures of arterial stiffness were adjusted for other contributing parameters such as age, sex, ethnicity, smoking status, height, weight, alcohol intake, diet, and hypertension.

The authors clarify that although the study included individuals who drank as much as 25 cups a day, the average intake of coffee in the highest consumption group was 5 cups a day. Further research would be needed to establish safe limits for coffee intake.

Dr Kenneth Fung from QMUL said: "Whilst we can’t prove a causal link in this study, our research indicates coffee isn’t as bad for the arteries as previous studies would suggest."


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