AS A DEDICATED AFICIONADO OF ESPRESSO COFFEE, I relish the creamy indulgence that kickstarts my mornings.

Do you prefer to start your day with a bold black coffee?

Or you could customize your frothy drink with a splash of steamed milk.

Today, I examine the cardiologist-approved coffee boost you need to unlock your morning mojo.

First, I’ll begin with how coffee can improve cardiovascular health.

Quiz: Coffee and Health

In a recent study, moderate caffeinated coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk for which conditions?

A. High blood pressure

B. Abnormal heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation)

C. Heart failure

D. None of the above.

A recent review looked into how drinking coffee might affect heart health.

The results showed that having a moderate amount of coffee could lower the risk of dying from any cause or heart-related issues.

Moderate coffee drinking seemed to help decrease the chances of having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart failure, and a condition called atrial fibrillation, which affects the heart’s rhythm.

The answer is D.

This Essay’s Focus

But amidst the comforting steam and aroma, I’ve often wondered how coffee affects my heart.

I am among the approximately two-thirds of Americans who begin their day with this beloved brew.

This essay explores coffee’s potential impact on cardiovascular health.

In addition, we’ll discuss a health-promoting addition you might add to your brew.

How Does Coffee Affect Your Heart?

Imagine this: Your morning cup of coffee isn’t just a delightful pick-me-up — it might also be doing wonders for your heart.

A literature review showed that regular coffee consumption might lower your risk of heart-related medical issues, including the following:

• Cardiovascular mortality
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Heart failure
• Abnormal heart rhythms.

Did You Know?

The newer findings may be a surprise to you.

Doubts have surfaced regarding coffee’s potential to trigger cardiac arrhythmias and elevate blood pressure.

Back in the 1960s, coffee drinking was even tagged as a cardiovascular hazard linked with coronary heart disease.

However, newer insights have illuminated these concerns, prompting a reevaluation of coffee’s impact on heart health.

It’s Not All Good News

As I looked at the clinical literature, I was surprised to find inconsistencies regarding coffee consumption and coronary heart disease risk.

The authors of the review I mentioned offer this explanation:

Most studies show a J-shaped association, wherein moderate coffee consumption decreases the risk of coronary heart disease, and heavy coffee consumption increases the risk.

How Does Coffee Lower Heart Risk?

How might coffee decrease the chances of my suffering from cardiovascular disease?

In a groundbreaking discovery, a recent study has unveiled caffeine’s remarkable role in slashing cardiovascular disease risk.

Researchers, using mouse models, unearthed one fascinating reason for the beneficial effects of caffeine:

Caffeine can diminish blood levels of proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9).

How Does PCSK9 Affect Cholesterol?

And why do PCSK9 levels matter?

Dr. Robert Greenfield, MD, an Emeritus Lipid Consultant at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA, spoke with Medical News Today and explained:

If there is less PCSK9 around, there are more liver receptors and a better ability to clear out excess cholesterol from our blood.

Caffeine effectively dials down the “bad” cholesterol levels, also known as low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, by reducing PCSK9.

Given that elevated LDL cholesterol is a notorious culprit in the onset of coronary heart disease, this newfound insight hints at caffeine’s potential as a formidable ally in safeguarding heart health.

Coffee Reduces Inflammation

Coffee (not caffeine) also appears to have anti-inflammatory effects.

The good news? Coffee contains antioxidants (and other beneficial compounds) that can reduce inflammation.

The bad? Drink too much, and the brew can have negative health effects.

Coffee and Reduced Inflammation: Not Always

A review of 15 studies on the effects of coffee, caffeine, and other coffee-related components on inflammatory markers found this:

Low, medium, and high coffee intake has predominantly anti-inflammatory effects.

However, some may not experience this beneficial effect.

Coffee may increase inflammation in some individuals.

Individual differences in genetics (and other factors) likely influence coffee’s effects on inflammation.

Inflammation is associated with several problems, including fatigue, pain, digestive issues, and frequent infections.

Coffee Lowers Stroke Risk, Too

If coffee helps many reduce their risk of heart disease, what about stroke risk?

A review of 21 studies showed this:

Daily consumption of three to four cups of coffee was associated with a 21 percent lower stroke risk.

Researchers discovered the strongest association (a one-fifth (21 percent) drop in risk) with three to four cups daily.

There was no further reduction in stroke risk with increasing consumption of coffee beyond this level.

But Wait, There’s More

Here are some other potential benefits of coffee consumption:

• Type 2 diabetes (a slight decrease of a relative six percent in one study)
• Boosts energy (caffeine)
• It may support brain health, potentially lowering the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s.
• May promote weight management
• Associated with a lower depression risk
• It may reduce the risk of chronic liver disease.
• Might increase longevity

Not for Everyone

Please keep in mind that some people may need to limit their intake, including people who are:

• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Children or adolescents
• diagnosed with certain health conditions.

Final Thoughts – Cardiologist-Approved Coffee

So, as I reach for my cafe latte this morning, I know I am getting a tasty treat.

And I also give my heart a little health-promoting boost.

Do you consume coffee? Did you know about its potential health benefits?

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