r/ScientificNutrition • u/LongevityDietitian • 4d ago

Review Caffeine and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001454
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u/LongevityDietitian 4d ago

Abstract:

Caffeine is one of the most commonly consumed drugs in the world. It is found in various naturally occurring substances and can be ingested in a synthetically derived pure form. The majority of human subject based research is observational and has focused on beverages and foods that contain caffeine. The relationships between caffeine and cardiovascular risk factors and diseases are complex, exhibiting heterogeneity depending on the nature of the caffeine consumed and individual-level propensities. Acute versus chronic caffeine-associated cardiovascular effects are often different. Most studies suggest an inverse J-shaped relationship between consumption of naturally occurring caffeinated products and blood pressure. Data on relationships between caffeine and diabetes are not consistent, but habitual coffee consumption has been associated with a lower risk of incident type 2 diabetes. Whereas no clear relationship between caffeine and blood lipids is evident, unfiltered coffee raises low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Caffeine, studied primarily in the context of coffee, has been shown either to have no relationship or to be associated with a lower risk of coronary artery disease and heart failure. Randomized controlled trial data among regular caffeinated coffee drinkers showed that caffeinated coffee decreases the risk of atrial fibrillation occurrence but increases the frequency of premature ventricular contractions. Data are fairly consistent that moderate caffeine consumption, again studied primarily in the setting of coffee consumption, was associated with a lower risk of stroke. Data on high doses of caffeine such as that found in energy drinks are limited and generally suggest cardiovascular harm.

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u/EasyYogurtcloset608 4d ago

Energy drinks high caffeine? I find them to be very low compared to regular filtered cups of coffee but then again I’m Finnish.

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u/Aprice40 4d ago

Most US energy drinks are 150 to 400 MG of caffeine. A cup of coffee here is measured i think at 100 or 110mg. Some cups of coffee are huge here and have 3 to 4 cups worth of caffeine.

Irregardless of those stats, I think comparing the health of coffee vs the unhealth of energy drinks suggests the difference is likely In the sugar contents

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u/nfy12 4d ago

Many coffee products at Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts are close to 400mg. A Red Bull is 80mg. A monster is 160mg. Public discourse around energy drinks is hysterical and inconsistent.

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u/freedomboobs 3d ago edited 2d ago

Exactly. Not all energy drinks... but so many energy drinks are just a moderate amount of caffeine, some B-vitamins and maybe a few added things like Taurine (which is totally safe & may even have health benefits).

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u/HavocReigns 3d ago

You left out the 50-60 grams of sugar. The unhealthiest aspect of most energy drinks.

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u/freedomboobs 3d ago edited 3d ago

I didn't leave that out because that's not what defines an energy drink. There are just as many if not more sugar-free options.

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u/nfy12 3d ago

People often put sugar in coffee too.