Not everybody responds the same to foods and drinks. Some people are sensitive to stimulants, and their heart rate will rise after eating or drinking certain items. This can be both good and bad, depending on your current health and goal. If you're looking to lose weight, a higher heart rate might mean your metabolism is being challenged, speeding up the weight loss. If you have heart problems, you need to eliminate or diminish the foods and drinks that increase your heart rate.
Coffee
Not all coffee is created equal when it comes to caffeine content. Espresso contains a high amount of caffeine, at about 100 mg per 2 oz. of coffee. In comparison, a 7-oz. cup of brewed coffee contains anywhere between 80 and 135 mg of caffeine, depending on brand. Not everybody has the same reaction to caffeine, so not everybody drinking coffee will experience a noticeable increase in heart rate. People who are very sensitive might want to choose instant coffee, which has a lower caffeine content. The amount varies between 65 and 100mg of caffeine per 70-oz. cup, depending on brand.
Other Drinks
Coffee might be the most obvious choice, but other drinks with caffeine also increase your heart rate, even in small amounts. These include soft drinks, teas, energy drinks and bottled iced tea. Some energy drinks contain as much as 50 percent more caffeine than coffee. They can not only affect heart rate but also increase blood pressure and affect mood.
Hot Peppers
Hot peppers contain capsaicin, a substance that speeds up heart rate and increases metabolism. Capsaicin can increase metabolism by up to 25 percent for several hours after eating it. The heart rate speed can result from eating hot peppers alone or from eating spicy foods such as curry, chili, or Mexican or Thai cuisine.
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