As millions of people consume coffee and energy drinks daily for a boost of energy and focus, debate continues over the effect of caffeine on heart health. While coffee is one of the most common beverages in the world, research warns that highly concentrated caffeine sources, such as energy drinks, may carry entirely different risks. In this context, a new scientific study revealed the real effect of each on heart health in adults.

The study, conducted by researchers from the American Heart Association, showed that caffeine, the most widely used stimulant in the world, is safe for most adults when consumed in doses up to 400 mg per day, according to The Independent.

The scientific analysis, published in the journals of the American Heart Association, indicated that most adults can safely consume up to five cups of regular caffeinated black coffee, each 240 ml, per day.

According to the study, this level of coffee consumption may be associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, including stroke and heart failure, in some adults.

Gregory Marcus, chair of the volunteer scientific statement writing group, said that caffeine in coffee is an essential part of daily life for millions of people, adding: "Our review of the latest research indicates that consuming up to 400 mg of caffeine per day, equivalent to about five cups of caffeinated coffee without added sugars or additives, is safe for most adults and does not increase the risk of cardiovascular disease."

In contrast, researchers warned that consuming large amounts of caffeine may carry greater risks, especially when obtained from highly concentrated sources, such as energy drinks, which may contain three to four times the amount of caffeine found in regular coffee.

Marcus added: "High doses of caffeine, such as those found in energy drinks, including concentrated beverages, can harm the heart and should therefore be avoided."

The researchers explained that a regular cup of coffee contains between 9.5 and 20.6 mg of caffeine per fluid ounce, while some energy drinks contain between 40 and 69 mg of caffeine per fluid ounce, which explains the higher amount of caffeine consumers get when consuming them.

When caffeine enters the body, the liver metabolizes it, and its concentration peaks within about an hour. During this period, it may cause a temporary increase in blood pressure, rapid heart rate, and elevated blood sugar levels, along with increased alertness and attention.

The health data of participants also showed that consuming between one and three cups of caffeinated coffee per day is not associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, a heart rhythm disorder that increases the likelihood of stroke, nor with an increased risk of heart rhythm disorders in general.

In contrast, the study revealed that very high doses of caffeine, such as those found in energy drinks and concentrated beverages, were associated with heart rhythm disorders even in people considered low-risk for cardiovascular disease.

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