Coffee and blood pressure. Why some people are more sensitive and what are the recommended amounts

Coffee can affect blood pressure, but not in all people. Why some people are more sensitive to coffee consumption, how do we know whether or not coffee has an impact on heart health, what are the safe amounts, and which people should completely avoid consumption, we detail below.

Why some people are more sensitive to coffee

Caffeine acts on the nervous system and increases alertness. The mechanisms by which it influences blood pressure are still being studied. According to the research published so far, there are several main hypotheses. Among them are the inhibition of a hormone involved in the dilation of the arteries or the stimulation of the adrenal glands, with increased release of adrenaline. Stress can exacerbate these reactions.

People who drink coffee regularly develop caffeine tolerance. So it no longer has a long-term effect on blood pressure and is not associated with an increased risk of hypertension, according to current medical data. Young people seem to be more sensitive to the effects of coffee than adults, and those who do not drink coffee regularly may notice temporary increases in blood pressure after drinking, including decaffeinated.

A large study by Harvard researchers of 45,589 men between the ages of 40 and 75 found no link between coffee consumption and the risk of coronary heart disease or stroke, even among heavy drinkers. The Scottish Heart Health study even reported a reduction in the risk of heart disease in coffee drinkers, and the benefit was more pronounced in those who drank higher amounts.

And decaffeinated coffee can increase blood pressure in some people

A team of researchers from Switzerland and the United States tried to clarify the controversy surrounding the effects of coffee on blood pressure after analyzing conflicting results from several previous studies. The experiment included 15 healthy, non-smoking volunteers with no history of hypertension, only six of whom drank coffee regularly.

Participants were monitored under four different conditions: before and after drinking a triple espresso, before and after a decaffeinated triple espresso, before and after taking 250 mg of caffeine, and before and after a saline placebo.

Triple espresso increased systolic blood pressure by an average of 13 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 7 mmHg, but only in people who did not drink coffee regularly. In those accustomed to coffee, the tension remained practically unchanged. When the researchers administered pure caffeine intravenously, the increase in blood pressure was much smaller (only 6 mmHg on average for the systolic value) although the level of caffeine in the blood was similar to that after espresso.

The most unexpected result was observed in the case of the decaffeinated espresso test. Although it didn't raise blood caffeine levels, it did lead to about 12 mmHg higher systolic blood pressure in non-coffee drinkers, nearly as much as regular espresso. This proves that coffee's effects on stress cannot be solely attributed to caffeine, as coffee contains hundreds of complex substances that interact with the human body.

How much coffee is too much

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends a maximum limit of 400 milligrams of caffeine per day, the equivalent of about three 350 ml cups of coffee. This amount is not associated with adverse health effects in most adults.

Caffeine tolerance varies quite a bit from person to person, depending on genetics. Some people can consume more than 400 mg daily without problems, while others experience adverse effects even at lower doses. These side effects include:

• Fast heart rate or palpitations,
• Anxiety,
• Insomnia or difficulty falling asleep,
• Nausea,
• Trembling,
• frequent need to urinate,
• Restlessness,
• Heartburn.

Pregnant women need to be more careful because caffeine crosses the placenta and reaches the fetus, which is why it is recommended to limit consumption to less than 200 mg per day, i.e. one or two small cups of coffee.

When you should avoid caffeine

Although most people can consume coffee without problems, certain categories of people should limit or avoid caffeine. These include people with caffeine sensitivities, who can experience jitters, jitters, and headaches after just one cup. Also, those who suffer from cardiac arrhythmias, gastric ulcers, or gastroesophageal reflux disease should talk to their doctor before consuming coffee regularly.

People with severe hypertension should be cautious, as should those taking certain medications. Caffeine can interact with asthma treatments, some types of antibiotics, and heart medications. It is always advisable to ask the doctor if any of the treatments can be influenced by the consumption of coffee.

How to test your caffeine sensitivity

If you want to find out if you are sensitive to the effects of coffee on blood pressure, there is a simple method. Measure your blood pressure before drinking a cup of coffee, then repeat the measurement 30-120 minutes after consumption. If you don't drink coffee regularly and notice an increase of 5-10 points, you may be sensitive to the hypertensive effects of caffeine.

If you decide to cut back on coffee, do it gradually over the course of a few days or a week. Abrupt withdrawal can cause headaches or even a temporary depressive state, specific symptoms of caffeine withdrawal. Heavy users develop mild addiction and the body needs time to adjust.

Coffee and heart health

Drinking one to three cups of coffee per day is associated with a lower likelihood of heart failure and cardiovascular mortality. The relationship with coronary heart disease remains unclear, but available data do not indicate an increased risk in coffee drinkers.

Coffee appears to offer other health benefits as well. Harvard studies indicate a reduced risk of diabetes, gallstones and kidney stones in coffee drinkers. An Italian study even indicated some protection against colon cancer.

A lesser known aspect is that the brewing method influences the effects of coffee on cholesterol. Coffee prepared by boiling in a kettle can increase blood cholesterol levels, while filtered, filter or instant coffee does not have this effect.

When should you go to the doctor?

If you notice that you have high blood pressure despite a healthy lifestyle, it is advisable to see your doctor for a treatment plan that includes, if necessary, antihypertensive drugs.

Treatment options include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), which relax and dilate blood vessels. Diuretics help remove excess water and sodium from the body, reducing the volume of fluid in the blood. Beta-blockers decrease heart rate, and calcium channel blockers relax blood vessels by preventing calcium from entering muscle cells.

Doctors often prescribe combinations of two or more drugs for optimal blood pressure control.