Go ahead and have that extra cup of coffee you’re craving — it’s good for you. New research from the American Heart Association suggests consuming up to five cups of coffee a day is safe for most adults and may be linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular conditions. 

Previous studies found that caffeine is world’s most popular stimulant and psychoactive sub­stance, and coffee is the most common way people consume caffeine. In 2024 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated the definition of its “healthy” nutrient content claim to include coffee. Per the FDA, coffee with less than five calories per 12 oz and per labelled serving meets the FDA’s definition of “healthy.” 

In a scientific statement issued on 20 July 2026, the American Heart Association (AHA) announced that the latest research indicates consuming up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day, the equivalent of five eight-ounce cups of caffeinated coffee (without sugars, sweeteners, flavours or added fillers), is “generally safe for most adults” and appears to be linked to a lower risk of several cardiovascular conditions, including heart failure, heart disease and stroke in some individuals. A regular brewed, non-specialty, caffeinated coffee typically contains 9.4-20.6 mg of caffeine per fluid ounce. 

“Caffeine consumed in coffee is a key part of daily life for millions of people, and in our review of the most recent research, for most adults, intake of up to 400 mg of caffeine/day, the equivalent of up to five cups of caffeinated coffee per day without added sugars or fillers, is safe and does not increase cardiovascular risk,” said Gregory M. Marcus, M.D., M.A.S., FAHA, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and the associate chief of Cardiology for Research at the University of California, San Francisco Health, and chair of the scientific statement volunteer writing group. “However, high doses of caffeine, such as those found in energy drinks including energy shots, may have harmful effects on the heart and should be avoided.” The AHA report noted that consuming these types of caffeinated beverages may increase the risk of high blood pressure and/or irregular heart rhythm or arrhythmia. 

The authors of the AHA statement explained that studying the effects of caffeine on the cardiovascular system is challenging, noting that “coffee is the main source of caffeine in most research studies, and the observed cardiovascular effects may be due to other compounds in coffee. For example, experimental studies suggest that the bioactive compounds in coffee may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help explain some health benefits.” The authors added that it’s also difficult to separate the effects of caffeine from other ingredients usually added to coffee, such as milk, cream, flavoured syrups and/or sugar. In addition, most studies on caffeine are observational, meaning they cannot prove cause and effect.  

AHA findings also revealed that: 

• Consuming caffeinated coffee without added sugars, flavours or cream was linked to a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, heart failure and some irregular heart rhythms. 

• Randomised trials, the most rigorous and reliable type of study design, have shown that caffeine consumption in coffee is associated with a lower risk of atrial fibrillation but also a higher risk of premature ventricular contractions. 

• Adding sugar, flavoured syrups, milk and/or cream to coffee likely reduces its potential health benefits, and more research is needed to understand the impact of these additives. 

Numerous studies have shown that coffee’s unique compounds (including but not limited to caffeine) are linked to other brain function and mental health benefits, including: 

• Improved memory and cognition; 

• Reduced risk of anxiety and depression; 

• Reduced risk of age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. 

The authors of the American Heart Association statement concluded that more research is needed to better understand caffeine’s impact on the body, how different sources of caffeine impact heart health and how its impact may vary among different people. 

For more information about coffee’s significant health benefits, visit the About Coffee section of National Coffee Association website. 

• Vanessa L Facenda is editor of Tea & Coffee Trade Journal. She may be reached at: [email protected].