Up to 5 Cups of Coffee per Day May Lower Heart Disease Risk: American Heart Association

Drinking up to five cups of coffee a day appears safe for most adults and may even lower the risk of several heart conditions, according to a statement published by the American Heart Association.

However, consuming energy drinks packed with high doses of caffeine could cause harm.

"Caffeine consumed in coffee is a key part of daily life for millions of people, and in our review of the most recent research, for most adults, intake of up to 400 mg of caffeine/day, the equivalent of up to 5 cups of caffeinated coffee per day without added sugars or fillers, is safe and does not increase cardiovascular risk," said Dr. Gregory M. Marcus, chair of the statement's writing group and a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine.

"However, high doses of caffeine, such as those found in energy drinks including energy shots, may have harmful effects on the heart and should be avoided," he said.

Why Energy Drinks Raise Concern

Energy shots can contain 40 to 69 milligrams of caffeine per fluid ounce—three to four times more than regular brewed coffee, according to the statement. That concentrated dosing has been associated with higher blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythms, particularly in adults younger than 30 who are otherwise considered low-risk for cardiovascular disease.

Mixed Effects Depending on the Condition

The statement outlined varying effects across specific cardiovascular measures, according to the AHA:

• Blood pressure: drinking one to three cups daily was tied to a higher risk of developing high blood pressure in people with otherwise normal readings, while drinking more than three cups was associated with a lower risk. Energy drinks, by contrast, can sharply raise blood pressure, especially in people who already have hypertension.
• Type 2 diabetes: regular consumption of black, unsweetened coffee was linked to lower diabetes risk, although researchers say compounds in coffee other than caffeine itself may be responsible.
• Cholesterol: cafestol, a compound found in unfiltered coffee such as French press, espresso, or Turkish coffee, was linked to higher LDL, or "bad," cholesterol. Paper-filtered and instant coffee do not contain cafestol.
• Heart rhythm: observational studies and related meta-analyses found that coffee consumption—particularly in regular and moderate amounts, i.e., 1-7 times a week and 1-3 cups of caffeinated coffee per day—was linked to a lower risk of atrial fibrillation but a higher frequency of premature ventricular contractions.
• Heart disease and stroke: two to four cups per day were associated with lower risk of heart disease, heart failure, and stroke, though more than four cups daily may raise heart failure risk.

Additives Could Undercut Benefits

The AHA noted that adding large amounts of sugar, flavored syrups, milk, or cream to coffee likely diminishes its potential cardiovascular benefits, though researchers say more study is needed to confirm the extent of that effect.

Individual Variation Emphasized

Marcus cautioned against a one-size-fits-all approach to caffeine intake, noting that genetics, age, medications, and underlying health conditions all influence how a person's body processes caffeine.

"What may be a reasonable amount for one person could cause unwanted effects, such as heart palpitations, anxiety or sleep disruption, in another. That's why it's important to pay attention to how your body responds to caffeine and talk with your healthcare team about what is right for you," he said.

More Research Sought

The authors said that data are limited on tea, soda, energy drinks, and caffeine supplements compared with coffee, although tea has shown associations with reduced risk of atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and stroke similar to coffee's. Due to the lack of sufficient, rigorous data, caffeine was not included in the AHA's 2026 Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health.