For so many of us, we can’t even contemplate attempting to get through the day without a strong coffee or three to see us through.
But while we’ve always been led to believe our coffee addiction could be having a negative impact on our health, scientists are now saying we can safely consume up to 25 cups a day.
Previously, studies claimed drinking coffee stiffens arteries and puts pressure on the heart which could increase the risk of having a heart attack or stroke.
However, fellow coffee lovers, a new study has revealed that drinking five cups a day, and even up to 25, is no worse for our arteries than drinking less than a cup a day.
The study of more than 8,000 people across the UK was part-funded by the British Heart Foundation and is being presented at the British Cardiovascular Society conference in Manchester.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London divided participants into three different groups for the study. The first consisted of people who drank less than one cup of coffee a day. The second comprised of people who drink between one and three cups a day, and the third was made up of those who drink more than three cups per day.
Some people in the third group admitted to drinking up to 25 cups a day, although the average of the group weighed in at five cups per day.
Experts found even those drinking up to 25 cups a day were no more likely to have stiffening arteries than those who drank less than one cup per day. Everyone in the study underwent MRI heart scans and infrared pulse wave tests, taking age, weight and whether participants smoke into account.
As reported by The Guardian, Dr Kenneth Fung from Queen Mary said:
Despite the huge popularity of coffee worldwide, different reports could put people off from enjoying it.
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.
Professor Metin Avkiran, associate medical director at British Heart Foundation said the study ‘rules out one of the potential detrimental effects of coffee on our arteries.’
Well, after all that I think it’s time to get up and put the kettle on. Brew, anyone?
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Emma Rosemurgey is an NCTJ trained Journalist who started her career by producing The Royal Rosemurgey newspaper in 2004, which kept her family up to date with the goings on of her sleepy north east village. She graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in Preston and started her career in regional newspapers before joining Tyla (formerly Pretty 52) in 2017, and progressing onto UNILAD in 2019.