Caffeine Has An Immediate Short
Coffee is the most popular hot beverage in the Americas, Australia and most of Europe.
As coffee beans contain caffeine, that makes coffee our biggest source of caffeine.
Caffeine is a psychoactive drug that stimulates the release of certain hormones in the brain . This is why coffee gives us an energy kick.
Caffeine also gives a kick to our blood pressure, and is actually a well-documented pressor . Increases tend to be mild, in the range of 5 to 10 mmHg. Thats regardless of how often you drink coffee or your caffeine tolerance, although there are always rare exceptions .
Caffeine appears to have a greater pressor effect on those with elevated blood pressure compared to those with normal blood pressure. And those effects are not suppressed by the use of blood pressure lowering medications .
Coffee is sounding pretty grim right now, but caffeine only appears to elevate blood pressure for about 3 hours before the effect subsides .
So what does this mean for our health in the long run?
Summary: Drinking coffee immediately increases blood pressure, regardless of your caffeine tolerance. The effect typically only lasts for a maximum of 3 hours though.
Coffee Consumption And Blood Pressure
Although the precise nature of the relationship between coffee and blood pressure is still unclear, overall the research to date suggests that regular intake of caffeinated coffee does not increase the risk of hypertension.
A 2008 review concluded that data from cross-sectional studies suggest an inverse linear or U-shaped association between habitual coffee intake and blood pressure in different populations33. The authors suggested that prospective studies showed a protective effect of coffee intake against hypertension, mainly in women. The study stated that further investigation was needed to discover whether abstainers are at a lower or higher risk of hypertension than occasional coffee drinkers . The same study also found that randomised controlled trials, which are mostly of short duration , suggest that coffee intake of around 5 cups per day may cause a small elevation in blood pressure when compared to abstinence or use of decaffeinated coffee.
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Caffeine’s Effect On Blood Pressure
May 17, 2002 — The caffeine jolt of a java fix may cause a jump in blood pressure — a particular problem in people who already have high blood pressure. But don’t put your coffee cup down just yet. Researchers say the jury’s still out on the effects on caffeine on your heart.
This new study was presented today at the annual scientific meeting of the American Society of Hypertension in New York City.
Although there has been a lot of recent interest in studying how caffeine may affect the heart and blood pressure, the authors say it’s the first time an effect of caffeine has been found on the stiffness of arteries, an indicator of heart function.
In the study, caffeine quickly increased the stiffness of the large arteries in people with high blood pressure, said study author Charalambos Vlachopoulos, MD, of the department of cardiology at Athens Medical School in Greece, at a news conference.
Vlachopoulos and colleagues tested the effects of caffeine on the major arteries of 10 people who were being treated for high blood pressure and were an average of 62 years old. On alternating days, the participants were given either a pill containing 250 mg of caffeine or a placebo.
Thirty minutes after the caffeine was given, there was a big jump in the stiffness of their arteries, said Vlachopoulos. The effect peaked after 60 minutes and remained significant for at least three hours.
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What Are The Risk Factors For High Blood Pressure
Hypertension can creep up on you. Most people dont realize they have it until they are in a situation where their blood pressure is checked or something bad happens like a heart attack.
This is one of the main reasons for being preventative with your health! Its not like you have nerve fibers in your blood vessels to tell you when the pressure is getting too high, so getting ahead of the problem can be a huge advantage.
Some of the things that can factor into high blood pressure include :
- Age
- Diet
- Stress
Notice whats not on that list? Yep! You dont see caffeine there, but well get there in a minute.
How Much Does Caffeine Increase Blood Pressure
A normal blood pressure reading is considered to be less than 120 mm Hg systolic and less than 80 mm Hg diastolic. The results from one study suggest that around five cups per day of coffee caused a 1-2 mm Hg increase in blood pressure. Reviews have also reported changes of between 3-15 mm Hg systolic and 4-13 mm Hg diastolic after caffeine consumption.
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Limit Your Alcohol Intake
Regularly drinking too much alcohol can raise your blood pressure over time.
Staying within the recommended levels is the best way to reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure:
- men and women are advised not to regularly drink more than 14 units a week
- spread your drinking over 3 days or more if you drink as much as 14 units a week
Does Quitting Coffee Lower Blood Pressure
Quitting coffee can surely help in lowering down your blood pressure.
Caffeine is the real culprit and giving it up can help lower your blood pressure and keep your heart from working overtime.
But thats not all you have to do. To improve your heart health, you must also give up bad habits and adopt a healthier lifestyle.
According to health professionals, giving up caffeine widens your arteries, resulting in healthy blood pressure. So, if you eliminate coffee from your diet, you wont have to worry about blood pressure spikes or other potential complications.
If you really want to go caffeine-free, I recommend doing so gradually to avoid caffeine withdrawal symptoms like headaches, dizziness, tiredness, and muscle pain.
I have an entire post on quitting coffee if you want a comprehensive read which you can check out right here.
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The Impact Of Coffee On Blood Pressure
Studies have investigated how coffee affects blood pressure. The results from some of these studies have caused confusion for the American coffee drinking public and even some healthcare providers. Some doctors tell people to limit the amount of coffee they drink if they have high blood pressure. The question is whether coffee is harmful to people with hypertension.
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages people drink to stay awake. No wonder! Its a stimulant to the central nervous system. Thats why people feel more awake, motivated, and focused when they drink it.
Your nervous system has two components: the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems. The parasympathetic system tells your nervous system to relax or chill. The sympathetic component is the fight or flight portion that gives you the energy and motivation to either fight or flee from a predator. Coffee activates the latter.
One downside to activating the fight or flight component of the nervous system is that it increases your heart rate and causes a temporary rise in blood pressure. Studies suggest if you arent accustomed to drinking caffeinated beverages, you can experience a rise in blood pressure after drinking coffee. One study found a blood pressure rise of 8 mm Hg systolic, the upper number, and 6 mm Hg diastolic, the lower number. This rise in blood pressure can occur even if you dont have hypertension.
What To Eat To Lower Your Blood Pressure
Rolled oats
A review with five research trials included tested the impact of oats on systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in about 400 healthy adults.
The researchers found that systolic blood pressure was 2.7 mmHg lower and diastolic blood pressure was 1.5 mmHg lower when participants ate around 60 grams of rolled oats or 25 grams of oat bran per day.
This quantity of oats or oat bran contains around four grams of a type of fibre called beta-glucan.
For each extra one gram of total daily fibre, there was an extra 0.11 mmHg reduction in diastolic blood pressure.
Recommended minimum daily adult fibre intakes are 30 grams for men and 25 grams for women.
While some of fibres effect is due to weight loss, soluble fibres produce bioactive products when theyre fermented in the large bowel. These work directly to lower blood pressure.
To improve your blood pressure, eat rolled oats or oat bran for breakfast, add to meat patties, or mix with breadcrumbs in recipes that call for crumbing.
Beetroot
Beetroot is extremely rich in a compound called inorganic nitrate. During digestion, this gets converted into nitric oxide, which causes arteries to dilate. This directly lowers the pressure in them.
A review of 16 trials of mostly healthy young men found drinking beetroot juice was associated with a 4.4 mmHg reduction in systolic blood pressure. But it found no change in diastolic blood pressure.
Vitamin C
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Does Alcohol Raise Blood Pressure
Drink in moderation.
Yes, if you drink too much!
Drinking more than three drinks in one sitting can potentially raise your blood pressure and binge drinking from alcohol can lead to other long-term health complications.
Cutting back alcohol can lower systolic blood pressure to 5.5 mm Hg and diastolic pressure by 4 mm Hg.
If you already have a history of hypertension, it is best to avoid alcohol or drink in moderation to avoid adverse effects.
Moreover, you should keep in mind alcohol contains calories that may also cause weight gain, which is a risk factor for high blood pressure.
So, be careful around alcohol!
How Much Can Coffee Raise Your Blood Pressure
According to scientific research, a coffee drink in two to four cups provides an 8% increase in energy. When systolic blood pressure is high, 1mmHg can trigger a heart attack. The systolic blood pressure is measured at 7mmHg. In most cases, the blood pressure decreases within three to four hours, and everything normally returns to normal.
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How Does Caffeine Affect Blood Pressure
Caffeine can cause a short and sharp increase in blood pressure, but the cause is not exactly clear. Caffeine is a known stimulant, but its impact in blood pressure could be a result of two specific factors. The first is that it might block production of a hormone thats needed to keep arteries wide.
However, Ive noticed this impact can be circumvented when caffeine is used in conjunction with certain amino acids like arginine or citrulline malate. The other potential cause of increased blood pressure might be that caffeine stimulates the adrenal glands to pump more adrenaline through your body, leading to increased blood pressure.
In any event, you might feel your blood pressure increase after a coffee, or you might not. Any discomfort you feel will pass within two hours. If you drink caffeine and have hypertension, try slowing down or cutting back. Because your blood pressure is already very high, the boost experienced from the influence of caffeine could potentially lead to the onset of a serious episode like a heart attack.
If you have high blood pressure, its recommended you avoid caffeine before doing anything that will naturally boost blood pressure. Therefore, things like weightlifting, running, or even entering a stressful situation should be done without the added stimulantthese types of activities will get your heart moving all on their own.
Best Coffee Option For High Blood Pressure
A 12-week study comparing the effects of caffeinated vs. decaffeinated coffee on blood pressure found that there was a small but notable drop in blood pressure when caffeinated coffee was replaced with decaf.
However, the study also stated that more research is needed to determine whether a switch to decaf coffee can really reduce hypertension and other related health problems.
You should know that decaf coffee is not totally caffeine-free. It contains 3% caffeine thats why you still need to limit your intake of it.
If you want to read more about decaf coffee, you can check out my informative post about it here.
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How Do You Lower High Blood Pressure Quickly
Here are 17 effective ways to lower your blood pressure levels: Increase activity and exercise more. Lose weight if youre overweight. Cut back on sugar and refined carbohydrates. Eat more potassium and less sodium. Eat less processed food. Stop smoking. Reduce excess stress. Try meditation or yoga.
Coffee And Your Blood Pressure
Coffee has been part of the human diet for about 1,000 years. During much of that time, it has stimulated controversy and in the age of Starbucks, the dispute has blossomed from a tempest in a coffee pot to grounds for serious debate. Some of coffee’s negative press seems to depend on the widespread belief that anything that tastes so good must be bad for you.
But there is a serious side to the argument: Coffee stimulates the nervous system, increasing alertness. But many people are sensitive to even one cup of coffee, making them feel jittery or interfering with sleep.
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Habitual Coffee Consumption And Risk Of Cvd In Hypertensive Subjects
Five cohort studies were conducted in the United States, one in Finland , and the other in Sweden . Except for one study designed as a cohort of hypertensive individuals , the rest were large cohort studies in different populations with no clinical inclusion criterion, in which a subcohort developed hypertension during follow-up. Three cohorts included persons aged 30 y , and the others included those older than 48 y and 64 y . The study quality was good. In 5 studies, hypertension was defined on the basis of measured BP values . Two studies were based on self-reported history of hypertension or on a diagnosis of hypertension reported by nurses and were therefore very reliable . Habitual consumption of coffee was reported at the beginning of follow-up and in one study was updated every 4 y. In all studies, information on CVD was confirmed by review of the medical record or death certificate. Length of follow-up varied from 4 to 25 y. Finally, in all cases, the results were adjusted for the main confounding factors.
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Can turmeric clean arteries?
One study found that turmeric can actually reduce fatty deposits in the arteries by up to 25%. Pair this entrée with asparagus or broccoli for another hard hitter. Both are rich in fiber and vitamins that work together to keep your arteries in working order.
Can you take turmeric with aspirin?
People who are on blood-thinning medication, such as warfarin , clopidogrel , and aspirin are typically advised against taking a curcumin or turmeric supplement, because the supplements can enhance the drugs’ blood-thinning effects, perhaps to dangerous levels.
Does Ginger raise blood pressure?
Ginger. Ginger, a staple in traditional medicine in India and China for thousands of years, can likewise lower blood pressure and improve circulation . In both human and animal studies, ginger has been shown to reduce high blood pressure, which negatively impacts blood flow .
What diseases does turmeric cure?
Taken orally, turmeric is used to as a treatment for indigestion , abdominal pain, hemorrhage, diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal bloating, loss of appetite, jaundice, hepatitis, and liver disease, gallbladder complaints, headaches, bronchitis, colds, respiratory infections, fibromyalgia, leprosy, fever,
Does turmeric lower blood pressure and cholesterol?
Is black pepper good for high blood pressure?
Piperine, active substance of black pepper, alleviates hypertension induced by NO synthase inhibition.
Can turmeric cause heart palpitations?
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Should People With Hypertension Avoid Coffee
A 2017 review concluded that people with high blood pressure should exercise some caution when drinking coffee but do not need to avoid it.
The review found that although there were older reports of a link between coffee drinking and hypertension, more recent studies suggested that 34 cups a day had either a neutral or beneficial effect.
A of 40 healthy regular coffee drinkers found that all types of coffee increased blood pressure but that the levels stayed within healthy ranges.
The increase in blood pressure was temporary but still measurable after consumption.
Some research suggests that the amount of coffee that someone drinks determines its effects on blood pressure.
As coffee contains many different compounds aside from caffeine, other compounds could be responsible for its effects on blood pressure.
However, a person could try switching to decaffeinated coffee to see whether their blood pressure decreases.
Some people find drinking coffee causes insomnia, anxiety, or tremors. Others may notice reflux and heartburn. Anyone who experiences these symptoms due to coffee should avoid drinking it.
According to researchers , regular coffee drinkers may experience withdrawal symptoms, such as headaches and low mood, if they suddenly stop consuming it. Therefore, if they wish to reduce their consumption, they should cut down the number of cups gradually.
Some alternatives to coffee contain caffeine, while others are naturally caffeine-free. People can try:
- chicory coffee
Observational Studies On Caffeine And Blood Pressure
Consistently high blood pressure is a huge risk factor for heart problems. Thats why were concerned about it in the first place.
Major dietary factors linked to high blood pressure and heart disease, such as excessive alcohol intake, typically contribute to stiffness of the blood vessels. This is the mechanism by which they raise the risk of heart disease.
Regular coffee consumption, however, was observed to have no such harmful influence on blood vessels .
This is thought to be because its pressor effects are too short-lived to do any lasting damage to the walls of our blood vessels.
The majority of large observational studies not only support this theory, but actually find coffee consumption linked to improved cardiovascular health.
In a review that included over 1.2 million subjects, 3 to 5 coffees per day was associated with significantly lower heart disease risk, while even heavier coffee consumption appeared to be neutral .
Other large reviews consistently find the same trend, suggesting coffee might be protective .
While these studies cannot prove cause and effect, if the blood pressure raising effect of coffee was harmful, we wouldnt expect to find coffee drinkers with better cardiovascular health than non-drinkers.
There is one huge caveat to this reasoning though
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