3-5 cups of coffee a day help people avoid clogged arteries

South Korean researchers have found that drinking a few cups of coffee a day can help people avoid clogged arteries, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease, BBC reported. They studied more than 25000 men and women who underwent routine health check-ups. It was found that employees who drank the right amount of coffee every day (3-5 cups per day) were less likely to develop early symptoms of heart disease.

The results reopen the debate about whether coffee is good for the heart.

When it comes to the effects of coffee on heart health, there are always a lot of different voices. Some studies have linked coffee to heart risks, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure, while others have suggested that coffee provides some protection for the heart. But there is no hard evidence for either voice, and the study, published in the journal Heart, only adds to the debate.

In this study, the researchers used medical scans to assess heart health; specifically, they had been testing subjects for any coronary artery disease. Coronary artery calcium deposition is an early symptom of coronary atherosclerosis, which can eventually lead to heart disease or stroke. The researchers looked for calcium deposits as an early clue to whether a heart attack might occur.

In the South Korean study, none of the subjects showed signs of heart disease, but more than 1/10 of the scans found calcium deposits. The comparison found that people who drank coffee every day had fewer calcium deposits in their coronary arteries than those who did not drink coffee or drank less. The subjects reported how much coffee they drank every day, while the researchers also considered other possible heart risk factors, including smoking, exercise and family history.

The authors also say that more research is needed to verify and explain this conclusion. Coffee contains caffeine and other substances, but it is not clear whether these substances are good or bad for the body. Victoria Taylor of the British Heart Foundation said: "in addition to further confirming the results, it is also necessary to take into account the possible differences in eating habits between South Korea and other countries."

So, having said so much, how much coffee should I drink every day?

In the United States, experts say daily 400mg caffeine is safe for most healthy adults.

In the UK, daily caffeine intake restrictions are not recommended (except for pregnant women). If you are a pregnant woman, you should limit your caffeine intake to 200 mg a day, the equivalent of 2 cups (mug) of instant coffee.

1 cup (mug) instant coffee = 100 mg caffeine

1 cup filtered coffee = 140 mg caffeine

1 cup of tea = 75 mg caffeine

1 cup of coke = 40 mg caffeine