Why drinking three to five cups of coffee a day reduces the risk of heart attacks

A study found that drinking high levels of coffee decreases the risk of developing clogged arteries that can lead to heart attacks.

12:51 04 March 2015

A recent study has found that drinking between three and five cups of coffee a day can reduce the risk of developing clogged arteries that can then lead to heart attacks.

Researchers from Kangbuck Samsung Hospital in Seoul, South Korea, aimed to establish a link between coffee and coronary artery calcium, which is an early indicator of the potentially life threatening coronary condition.

Researchers said that “compared to no coffee consumption, four to five servings of coffee a day was associated with an 11 per cent lower risk (of heart failure),” while “drinking excessive amounts of coffee had no benefit – and is likely to give you the jitters,” though the health service said information should be viewed with caution.

In response to the current study, Victoria Taylor, senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, said: “While this study does highlight a potential link between coffee consumption and lower risk of developing clogged arteries, more research is needed to confirm these findings and understand what the reason is for the association.

”We need to take care when generalising these results because it is based on the South Korean population, who have a different diet and lifestyle."