How Coffee and Tea Benefit Heart Health

If you’ve been told to skip coffee for your heart, here’s some reassuring news. For years, coffee got a bad reputation while tea was praised — but research now shows both drinks can support your cardiovascular system.

In short: Filtered coffee won’t harm your heart, and both coffee and tea — especially 5–6 cups daily — may lower coronary risks. Avoid unfiltered brews, and you’re good to go.

Coffee’s Long and Complicated Reputation

Talk of heart health used to put coffee in the hot seat. Back in seventeenth-century Europe, coffee was believed to aid digestion and treat gout — but also cause impotence and paralysis. Clearly, not all the old ideas were accurate. Today, researchers focus more on how coffee truly affects the heart.

What the Studies Really Say About Coffee

Some studies claimed coffee harms the heart, while others — often by coffee drinkers — disagreed. Here’s what the data shows:

• Blood Pressure: Two cups of coffee can raise blood pressure by 2–3 mm Hg in non-habitual drinkers, but not in regular coffee drinkers.
• Heart Rate: Coffee may cause a short-term increase in heart rate, but not irregular heartbeat.
• Cholesterol: Unfiltered or boiled coffee contains oils that can raise total and LDL cholesterol. However, filtered coffee removes these compounds, so most brewed coffee doesn’t affect cholesterol levels.
• Arteries: Some studies linked coffee to arterial stiffness, but others found that two cups daily can help arteries relax.

Coffee and Heart Disease Risk

Cardiologists have closely watched for any link between coffee and hypertension — and found none. Coffee does not cause high blood pressure. Even people with hypertension can continue drinking coffee without worry.

Large, long-term studies (over 10–20 years) show no increased risk of coronary heart disease among coffee drinkers, whether they prefer caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee. The evidence is solid: coffee does not cause heart disease and can be part of a healthy diet.

What about people who already have coronary heart disease? Can coffee trigger heart attacks? The risk exists but is very small and not universal. For sedentary individuals with heart disease risk factors who aren’t used to coffee, a morning cup might slightly increase the chance of an episode — but again, the risk is minimal. Some of this may stem from exaggerated perceptions of blood pressure or nervous system changes after drinking coffee. Genetics also play a role: a Costa Rican study found that slow caffeine metabolizers may have a higher heart attack risk after drinking coffee. Still, overall, the chance of coffee triggering a heart event is so low it’s not worth concern.

And What About Tea?

Comparing coffee and tea is tricky — tea drinkers often have healthier diets and lifestyles overall, so it’s hard to isolate the drink’s effect. But observational studies show both black and green tea can help reduce coronary heart disease risk, typically when consumed at around 5–6 cups per day.

So which is better? There’s no definitive answer. The good news is that both coffee and tea are not just harmless — they may benefit your heart. Your choice can come down to taste. Just avoid unfiltered or boiled coffee to sidestep cholesterol concerns, and if you take sugar, opt for low-calorie, low-fat options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does coffee really cause heart disease?

No. Long-term studies show no increased risk of coronary heart disease among regular coffee drinkers, whether they consume caffeinated or decaf coffee. Coffee does not cause heart disease and is considered safe for a healthy diet.

Can drinking coffee raise my blood pressure?

For people who don’t usually drink coffee, two cups may raise blood pressure by 2–3 mm Hg. But regular coffee drinkers experience no significant change in blood pressure from drinking coffee.

Does tea help your heart?

Yes. Observational studies suggest that drinking around 5–6 cups of black or green tea daily may help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, similar to the potential benefits of coffee.

Is unfiltered coffee bad for cholesterol?

Yes. Unfiltered or boiled coffee contains oils that can raise total and LDL cholesterol levels. Using a filter removes these compounds, making filtered coffee neutral or beneficial for cholesterol.

Can people with heart disease drink coffee?

Yes, but with caution. Coffee may slightly raise the risk of heart attacks in sedentary individuals with existing risk factors who are not used to drinking coffee — but the overall risk is very small and not a major concern for most people.

Should I avoid sugar in my coffee or tea?

If you add sweetener, choose low-calorie and low-fat options. Otherwise, your drink may contribute unnecessary calories and fats, which are not heart-healthy.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Cardiovascular-Friendly Coffee

Pair your heart-healthy coffee routine with FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera — a bright, juicy Ethiopian single origin with notes of blueberry, citrus, and floral tones, ideal for filtered brewing. Or try their PWN Golden Mandheling, a balanced Indonesian classic with sweet almond and spice notes, great for those who prefer a heavier body. Both beans shine when brewed through a filter, helping you avoid cholesterol-raising oils found in unfiltered coffee. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.