A new study presented at the ACC Asia 2024 conference in Delhi reveals that excessive caffeine consumption could increase the risks of cardiovascular diseases, even in healthy individuals.
In fact, consuming more than 400 mg of caffeine per day (equivalent to about 4 cups of coffee, 10 cans of soda, or 2 energy drinks) could lead to an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
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Researchers followed 92 participants aged 18 to 45, all in good health, for more than a year. The study focused on their daily consumption of caffeinated beverages such as coffee and tea, as well as sodas and energy drinks like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Red Bull, and Monster. Participants underwent a stress test, followed by measurements of their heart rate and blood pressure one minute and five minutes after exercise.
The results showed that 19.6% of the participants consumed more than 400 mg of caffeine daily. This chronic consumption had a notable impact on their autonomic nervous system, gradually increasing their heart rate and blood pressure. Moreover, those consuming more than 600 mg of caffeine daily experienced significant increases in these parameters after five minutes of rest.
The study also profiled the largest caffeine consumers, who were mainly women living in urban areas and holding managerial or commercial positions. According to Nency Kagathara, the study's lead author and a member of Zydus Medical College and Hospital in India, this regular and excessive caffeine consumption could expose otherwise healthy individuals to increased risks of hypertension and other cardiovascular problems.
Therefore, it is essential, according to the researchers, to raise awareness of the potential dangers of excessive caffeine consumption to improve overall heart health. Preventive measures such as reducing caffeine intake and adopting a healthier lifestyle could help mitigate these risks.
While this study has certain limitations, notably the number of participants involved, the recommendations remain valid as they align with many previous studies on the subject.
Article author: Cédric DEPOND