Americans used to be warned against drinking coffee. There were concerns that coffee would raise blood pressure and cholesterol, potentially harming the heart.
More recently, though, coffee consumption has been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. That would suggest that it may have some health benefits, in addition to helping people feel more alert in the morning.
Less Calcium in Coronary Arteries
Now a study of about 25,000 healthy middle aged people in South Korea has just shown that coffee drinkers are less likely to have calcium in their coronary arteries. This condition is measured with a cardiac CT scan and indicates subclinical atherosclerosis.
How Much Coffee Is Best?
There is even the hint of an optimal dose. The individuals who reported drinking between three and five cups of coffee daily had the least accumulation of calcium in their arteries. While this does not prove a cause and effect relationship, it suggests that we can stop worrying that coffee will harm the heart.
