Coffee and Tea Both Benefit Heart Health, Study Finds

If you’ve been told to skip your morning coffee for the sake of your heart, it’s time to reconsider. For years, coffee has had a bad reputation when it comes to cardiovascular health, while tea has been praised as the better choice. But what does the science really say? Whether you're team coffee or team tea, the latest research offers some reassuring — and surprising — answers.

The short answer? Yes, both coffee and tea can be good for your heart. Just avoid unfiltered coffee, which may raise cholesterol. Otherwise, both beverages are safe for most people — and may even offer cardiovascular benefits.

Coffee’s Changing Reputation on Heart Health

The link between coffee and health isn’t new. Back in seventeenth-century Europe, coffee was believed to aid digestion and treat gout — but also to cause impotence and paralysis. Obviously, not all of that turned out to be true. Today, researchers are far more focused on how coffee affects the heart.

Some early studies claimed coffee could harm the heart, while others — often funded or conducted by coffee drinkers — argued the opposite. One known effect: for people who don’t regularly drink coffee, just two cups can raise systolic blood pressure by 2–3 mm Hg. But for habitual coffee drinkers, that effect largely disappears. Coffee may cause a temporary increase in heart rate, but it doesn’t lead to arrhythmia.

What Really Matters: Filtered vs. Unfiltered Coffee

Brew methods play a major role. Unfiltered or boiled coffee — such as French press or Turkish coffee — contains natural oils that can raise both total cholesterol and LDL (the "bad" kind). However, filtered coffee removes these compounds, meaning most coffee brewing methods have no negative impact on your cholesterol levels. Some older studies suggested coffee might contribute to arterial stiffness, but newer research shows that drinking two cups per day may actually help blood vessels relax.

Coffee and Heart Disease: What’s the Real Risk?

Cardiologists have long focused on whether coffee might trigger heart attacks in people with existing coronary artery disease. The answer? There is a tiny risk — but only under specific conditions. For example, sedentary individuals who aren’t used to caffeine and have other heart risk factors may see a slight increase in their chance of a morning coffee triggering an event. This seems linked to short-term spikes in blood pressure and nervous system activity, which might disturb vulnerable arterial plaque. Importantly, these risks are small, and genetic differences also play a part: a Costa Rican study found that slow caffeine metabolizers might face higher heart attack risks after drinking coffee. But overall, the danger is minimal.

And What About Tea?

Comparing coffee and tea directly is tricky because tea drinkers often lead healthier lifestyles overall. That said, observational studies suggest both black and green tea can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease — but you’d likely need to drink around 5–6 cups per day to see a benefit. There’s no clear evidence that one is definitively better than the other.

So, Which Should You Drink?

The bottom line? Both coffee and tea are safe for your heart — and may even support cardiovascular health. The key is how you prepare your coffee: avoid unfiltered or boiled versions, which can raise cholesterol. If you add sugar, opt for low-calorie or low-fat sweeteners. Ultimately, your choice should come down to taste. There’s no need to switch unless you’re drinking large amounts of unfiltered coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does coffee really raise blood pressure?

For people who don’t usually drink coffee, two cups can temporarily raise blood pressure by 2–3 mm Hg. But for regular coffee drinkers, this effect largely goes away. Coffee does not cause chronic hypertension and is considered safe even for those diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Can coffee cause heart attacks?

There is a very small risk that coffee might trigger a heart attack, but mainly in sedentary individuals with existing heart risk factors who aren’t used to caffeine. These cases are rare, and genetic differences like slow caffeine metabolism may further influence individual risk. Overall, the chance is minimal.

Is filtered coffee better for your heart than unfiltered?

Yes. Unfiltered coffee — including French press, boiled, or Turkish coffee — contains oils that can raise total and LDL cholesterol. Filtered coffee removes these compounds, making it neutral or beneficial for cholesterol levels and overall heart health.

How much tea should I drink for heart benefits?

Observational studies suggest drinking around 5–6 cups of either black or green tea per day may help lower the risk of coronary heart disease. Less than that may not show significant benefits, though both teas are still safe and healthy in moderation.

Should I avoid adding sugar to my coffee or tea?

If you add sweetener, choose low-calorie or low-fat options. Avoiding sugar altogether is ideal, but if needed, opt for healthier alternatives to keep your drink heart-friendly.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Coffee Lovers

FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera offers bright citrus and floral tones with a juicy body, perfect for heart-healthy coffee routines. Their Yirgacheffe brings lemon zest and berry notes, brewed best as a filtered pour-over. For a deeper profile, try the PWN Golden Mandheling with its chocolatey richness and gentle acidity. All three single origins shine when brewed through paper filters, which help maintain heart-friendly brewing by removing cholesterol-raising oils. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.