Most research into the relationship between coffee and blood pressure finds that coffee does appear to raise blood pressure acutely in some people, but only a small amount and only for a short time immediately after drinking it. Moreover, it does not appear to increase risk of hypertension, or chronic high blood pressure, in most people. The caffeine in regular coffee appears to be responsible for any associated blood pressure increases, but myriad other factors may influence coffee's effect on blood pressure and hypertension risk as well, including gender, cardiovascular health and lifestyle, as well as other coffee constituents with potentially beneficial cardiovascular properties.
Caffeine
A 2005 meta-analysis published in the "Journal of Hypertension" of research on the relationship between blood pressure and coffee or caffeine found that regular caffeine consumption does increase blood pressure, although the effect on blood pressure from caffeine via coffee is actually much smaller. A 2005 study on the effect of caffeine on blood pressure in women found that habitual coffee drinking did not increase risk of hypertension, but that habitual drinking of caffeinated sodas did.
Hypertension
The 2005 "Journal of Hypertension" meta-analysis also found that people with hypertension may be at greater risk of elevated blood pressure from coffee. According to a 2008 summary of current research on coffee in relation to blood pressure published in "Vascular Health Risk Management," most evidence on the relationship between coffee and hypertension suggests that regular coffee drinking does not increase risk of hypertension, but that abstaining from coffee could reduce the risk of hypertension.
Cardiovascular Benefits
The 2008 "Vascular Health Risk Management" paper also suggested that certain other components of coffee besides caffeine, such as potassium, soluble fiber and polyphenols, may benefit the cardiovascular system in ways that mitigate the effects of the caffeine in coffee on blood pressure. The 2005 "Journal of Hypertension" meta-analysis found that while caffeine and coffee did elevate blood pressure, they had a negligible effect on heart rate.
Other Factors
Several factors besides the caffeine in regular coffee may influence the effect that coffee exerts on blood pressure. For example, a 2005 study in "Hypertension Research" found that three cups or more of coffee per day actually lowers blood pressure in men with hypertension who consume at least 60 ml of alcohol per day. Meanwhile, the 2008 "Vascular Health Risk Management" paper found that large doses of coffee, around four or more cups per day, might actually have a protective effect against hypertension, particularly in women.
References
- "European Journal Of Clinical Nutrition"; Coffee, Caffeine And Blood Pressure; M.L. Nurminen, et al.; Nov 1999
- "Pharmacology Therapeutics"; Acute And Long-Term Cardiovascular Effects Of Coffee; N.P. Riksen; Feb 2009
- "Journal Of Hypertension"; Blood Pressure Response To Chronic Intake Of Coffee And Caffeine"; M. Noordzij, et al.; May 2005
- "Journal Of The American Medical Association"; Habitual Caffeine Intake And The Risk Of Hypertension In Women; W.C. Winkelmayer; Nov 2005
- "Vascular Health Risk Management"; Habitual Coffee Consumption And Blood Pressure; J.M. Geleijnse; 2008
- "Hypertension Research"; Effect Of Coffee Intake On Blood Pressure In Male Habitual Alcohol Drinkers; K. Funatsu; Jun 2005
