I’m drinking my first (of two) right now.
From a health perspective, coffee can be an interesting drink. There is plenty of research to suggest it offers health benefits. Some studies have found links between coffee consumption and a lower risk of type-2 diabetes, better liver health, and more.
On the other hand, some studies have found it may impact sleep, anxiety, and other conditions.
Now a new study suggests that it could pose a risk to people with severe high blood pressure, also known as hypertension.
The work, published in The Journal of the American Heart Association, found that heavy coffee consumption was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease death among people with severe hypertension. However, the risk was not present in people without hypertension or even grade 1 hypertension.
Researchers grouped people from the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study for Evaluation of Cancer Risk into five categories of blood pressure:
• Normal: 130/85 mm Hg or lower
• High normal: 130-139/85-89 mm Hg
• Grade 1 hypertension: 140-159/90-99 mm Hg
• Grade 2 hypertension: 160-179/100-109 mm Hg
• Grade 3 hypertension: 180/110 mm Hg
By comparison, green tea consumption was not associated with a higher risk, even though it also features caffeine. Researchers believe it may have something to do with the polyphenols present in green tea, which can have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
It is important to note that the study’s results do not prove that high levels of coffee consumption can be threatening to people with severe hypertension, just that there is an association.
Coffee’s impacts tend to vary from person to person and may even be dependent on genetics. If you are battling severe hypertension, it may be a good idea to limit coffee consumption or stop altogether.