Study: Drinking Coffee May Lower Risk of Heart Disease

Want to lower your risk of heart disease? If so, you should consider starting your day with a cup of coffee. According to a new meta-analysis study, people who drink at least one cup of black coffee per day are less likely to develop heart disease than their counterparts.

About the Study

For the study, researchers from the American Heart Association (AHA) analyzed data from three existing health studies. The studies tracked the diets, as well as health markers, of over 21,000 Americans for a 10-period year.

In two of the studies, researchers found that that drinking black coffee per day lowered the risk of heart disease by up to 12%. In the third study, researchers found similar results but with a caveat: People who consumed two or more cups of black coffee per day had an even lower risk of heart disease.

The Heart Health Benefits of Coffee

How can coffee lower your risk of heart disease exactly? For starters, coffee has been shown to protect against atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a medical condition that's characterized by the buildup of plaque within the arteries. Over time, plague can accumulate inside your arteries, thus restricting blood flow and increasing the risk of heart disease. Including coffee in your daily diet will help to break down arterial plaque so that you are less likely to suffer from atherosclerosis and, subsequently, heart disease.

Drinking coffee will also lower your stress levels. Stress, of course, is correlated with heart disease. If you experience high levels of stress, your blood pressure will increase, which could place you at risk for heart disease. Fortunately, coffee is a natural stress reliever.

Coffee contains antioxidants as well. Coffee comes from plants. And like all plants, coffee contains polyphenols, which are power antioxidants that fight and defend against free radicals. Some experts believe that antioxidants like polyphenols can lower the risk of heart disease thanks to their ability to fight free radicals.

Watch the Sugar and Creamer

It's important to note that the meta-analysis study cited above focuses on black coffee. Pouring an excessive amount of sugar, milk or creamer into your morning coffee will negate its health benefits.

High-sugar diets have been known to increase the risk of heart disease. The more sugar you consume, the greater your risk of heart disease. Sugar, however, is found in many different foods, including milk and creamer. For the greatest heart health benefits, you should stick with black coffee.