Coffee is one of the most commonly consumed beverages worldwide. Annually, around 19 billion pounds of coffee are consumed around the world.
Whether you are an avid coffee drinker or just enjoy the occasional cup, you may be wondering if it’s a healthy beverage or not.
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There have been several studies linking coffee with health benefits, but can it also hurt your health?
Hypertension – high blood pressure – is a common health condition in the US. One practice to reduce blood pressure is to change one’s diet. The most common recommendation is to reduce salt, but do people with high blood pressure also need to remove coffee?
Research suggests that coffee consumption can contribute to a slight increase in blood pressure temporarily. The review of 34 studies revealed that consumption of 200 to 300 mg of caffeine within coffee – the amount found in 1.5 to two cups of coffee – increased systolic blood pressure on average 8 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure 6 mmHg.
This slight raise was observed up to three hours post-consumption. The findings were seen in both people with pre-existing high blood pressure and those with average blood pressure.
On the other hand, regular coffee drinking was not associated with an increase in blood pressure. Therefore, the researchers concluded that small amounts of coffee among those who drink coffee infrequently could experience a slight increase in blood pressure, but regular coffee drinkers don’t experience this rise.
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The take-away here is if you’re already a regular coffee drinker, you don’t need to worry that it will cause spikes in blood pressure. Furthermore, as mentioned, coffee has been vastly studied, and there are several other health benefits attached to it.
If you’re wondering if coffee is a healthy beverage, then the answer is yes. Just ensure you’re not loading it with creams and sugars, as this can negate its benefits.
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Mohan Garikiparithi got his degree in medicine from Osmania University (University of Health Sciences). He practiced clinical medicine for over a decade before he shifted his focus to the field of health communications. During his active practice he served as the head of the Dept. of Microbiology in a diagnostic centre in India. On a three-year communications program in Germany, Mohan developed a keen interest in German Medicine (Homoeopathy), and other alternative systems of medicine. He now advocates treating different medical conditions without the use of traditional drugs. An ardent squash player, Mohan believes in the importance of fitness and wellness.
