Research shows that drinking coffee to protect small blood vessels is good for heart health.

A study announced at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association in Dallas shows that drinking coffee is good for heart health because it improves the function of small blood vessels.

Researchers at the University of Ryukyu in Okinawa, Japan, studied 27 healthy adults aged 22 and 30 who did not drink much coffee. Participants drank a cup of caffeinated or non-caffeinated coffee. After that, the blood flow of small blood vessels at fingertips was measured by laser Doppler flow meter. Two days later, the researchers repeated the experiment with other types of coffee and measured blood pressure, heart rate and vascular resistance levels of the participants. It was found that drinking a cup of caffeinated coffee increased the blood flow of small blood vessels at the fingertips by 30%, and caffeinated coffee improved blood pressure and vascular endothelial cell function.

The researchers said the study explored the effects of caffeine on small blood vessel function for the first time and provided important clues for further exploration of coffee's improvement in cardiovascular health.