Use of coffee as a stimulant may have begun in Portugal, was popularized in the Arab world and from there spread through Europe. Though coffee is cherished for its mild stimulant effect, coffee's health effects, including those on heart disease, remain highly controversial.
Blood Thinning
Coffee may protect against cardiovascular disease by decreasing blood clot formation, according to a study published in the April 2010 issue of the "Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology." In the study on laboratory animals, coffee consumption resulted in decreased platelet size, and reduced levels of oxidized lipids in platelets, implying protection from clot formation and the inflammation that leads to platelet clotting. Lower levels of platelet aggregation were seen on microscope analysis of the platelets in the coffee-fed group.
Blood Flow
Coffee consumption may not impair blood flow, as previously thought, according to a study published in the February 2011 issue of "Nutrition Journal." In the study, healthy adult participants drank either caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee. The caffeinated group showed increased blood pressure and heart rate in the hour after coffee consumption. Changes in heart rhythm were observed in the decaffeinated group. However, no unfavorable effects were noted in blood flow or nerve conduction within the heart. The researchers called for further tests to investigate the effects of coffee consumption on people with cardiovascular disease.
Blood Vessel Linings
Coffee drinkers may enjoy protective benefits to the delicate linings of blood vessels, known as the endothelium, according to a study published in the February 2011 issue of the "American Journal of Cardiology." In the study, patients with coronary artery disease took 200 mg caffeine supplements and showed increased dilation of the brachial artery -- an artery that supplies the arm. Caffeine also decreased C-reactive protein, an inflammatory molecule that is used as a marker for inflammation. The researchers concluded that caffeine ingestion significantly improved endothelial function and lowered inflammation.
Short-Term Risks
Short-term coffee consumption may increase risk of adverse coronary events, according to a study published in the February 2009 issue of the journal "Pharmacology and Therapeutics." Caffeine in coffee raises blood pressure and the hormone adrenaline, increases stiffness of arteries and impairs blood vessel dilation, say the authors of the study, a review of previously published research. However, long-term coffee consumption has not been shown to increase risk for high blood pressure and shows a strong protective effect against Type 2 diabetes. Individual genetic variations also influence how your body responds to coffee. The researchers concluded that in the short-term coffee consumption may lead to increased damage to the heart in the event of a heart attack.
References
- "Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology"; Modulatory Effect of Coffee on Platelet Function; S. Bhaskar, et al.; April 2010
- "Nutrition Journal"; Acute Effects of Coffee on QT Interval in Healthy Subjects; S. Buscemi, et al.; February 2011
- "American Journal of Cardiology"; Impact of Acute Caffeine Ingestion on Endothelial Function in Subjects With and Without Coronary Artery Disease; M. Shechter, et al.; February 2011
- "Pharmacology and Therapeutics"; Acute and Long-Term Cardiovascular Effects of Coffee: Implications for Coronary Heart Disease; NP Riksen, et al.; February 2009
- GlobalExchange.org: Frequently Asked Questions About Fair Trade Coffee
