Drinking 2-3 cups of caffeinated coffee daily temporarily raises blood pressure, the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. A 2004 study published in American Journal of Cardiology from researchers at Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Veteran's Affairs Medical Center found that, within this amount, systolic blood pressure raises by 3–14 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by raises 4–13 mmHg in those who are not habitual coffee drinkers.
Can drinking coffee cause high blood pressure? Probably not. While a sudden intake of caffeine can temporarily raise blood pressure, the long-term effects of coffee consumption appear to be different. A study by Giuseppe Grosso at the University of Catania, which analyzed seven cohorts with over 200,000 participants, found that those who drank seven or more cups of coffee per day had a slightly reduced risk of developing hypertension (high blood pressure).
So, is coffee good or bad for someone with high blood pressure? The impact of coffee on existing high blood pressure is nuanced. Experts at the Department of Social Medicine at Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine suggest that heavy coffee consumption (defined as 2 cups of coffee per day or more) was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality among people with moderate to severe hypertension, but not in those without hypertension or with mild hypertension. Determining whether coffee is beneficial or detrimental for high blood pressure depends on factors like individual tolerance to caffeine, the presence of other health conditions, overall lifestyle, and the specific type and quantity of coffee consumed.
A 2021 study in the Journal of Functional Food and Nutraceutical showed that decaffeinated coffee, which has significantly less caffeine than regular coffee, is considered a potential alternative for individuals with hypertension. This aligns with 2016 research from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition by researchers at the Department of Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, which found that drinking decaffeinated coffee was even associated with slight decreases in blood pressure.
These findings raise questions about the complex relationship between coffee and blood pressure, including whether caffeine ultimately raises or lowers blood pressure, the safety of coffee while on blood pressure medication, the safe amount of coffee consumption, and the potential impact of quitting coffee on blood pressure.
What Is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force exerted by circulating blood against the walls of the arteries. This pressure varies throughout the body and during different phases of the heart's contraction cycle. As defined by Walter Adam Brzezinski from MUSC Health University Medical Center, blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) within the major arterial system of the body.
There are two key types of blood pressure: systolic pressure and diastolic pressure. Systolic pressure is the maximum pressure during the contraction of the heart's ventricles, while diastolic pressure is the minimum pressure just before the next ventricular contraction. Typically, blood pressure is recorded as two numbers, such as 120/80 mmHg, with the first representing systolic and the second representing diastolic pressure.
Sheldon Magder from the Department of Critical Care at McGill University Health Centre defines normal blood pressure in adults as typically around 120/80 mmHg. However, abnormal blood pressure, either elevated (hypertension) or reduced (hypotension), can impact tissue perfusion and requires clinical assessment for appropriate therapeutic decisions.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a medical condition defined as having a systolic blood pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher, or a diastolic blood pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher, according to a study from the Canadian Health Measures Survey (2012-2015) published by Statistics Canada in 2019. The main causes of hypertension include excessive salt intake, obesity, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol consumption, and stress. Additional risk factors include age, family history, being overweight, smoking, high cholesterol levels, and chronic conditions such as kidney disease and diabetes.
Caffeine, a stimulant found in coffee, can temporarily increase blood pressure. This transient increase is primarily due to caffeine's ability to increase heart rate and constrict blood vessels, as noted by researchers at the Medical University of Silesia in Katowice. However, the long-term effects of regular coffee consumption on hypertension are still debated, and some individuals may develop a tolerance to caffeine's blood pressure-raising effects over time.
This diagram details the causes and key contributors to the development of high blood pressure.
Does Caffeine Raise Blood Pressure?
Caffeine has been shown to cause short-term increases in blood pressure, particularly in those who don't regularly consume it. This effect was first reported in a 1978 seminal study by David Robertson, M.D., in The New England Journal of Medicine, which involved nine healthy, young, non-coffee drinkers. The study found that drinking coffee with 250 milligrams of caffeine raised systolic blood pressure by 14 mm Hg and diastolic pressure by 10 mm Hg one hour after consumption.
This relationship between drinking coffee and blood pressure has been further explored in numerous studies.
- A 1999 meta-analysis of 11 controlled trials involving 522 participants, published in Hypertension, found that drinking 5 cups of coffee per day for 56 days increased systolic blood pressure by 2.4 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure by 1.2 mm Hg.
- A 1988 randomized controlled trial by Martin Myers from the Division of Cardiology at Sunnybrook Medical Centre found that those who do not regularly drink caffeinated coffee may experience a temporary increase in blood pressure, but tolerance develops within 2-3 days.
- Journal of Korean Medical Science published a review study in 2022 by Minjung Han, Yoonjin Oh, and Seung-Kwon Myung, which included 13 longitudinal cohort studies with 314,827 participants and 64,650 incident cases of hypertension, concluding that coffee intake is not significantly associated with the risk of hypertension overall.
- A 1999 study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that acute intake of coffee and caffeine increases blood pressure in non-coffee drinkers, but regular coffee drinkers develop tolerance.
- Clinical Nutrition published a study in 2021 by Andreia Machado Miranda and colleagues, examining coffee consumption and hypertension risk in a Brazilian cohort. They found that drinking 1-3 cups of coffee per day lowered the risk of hypertension in non-smokers, but consuming more than 3 cups had no significant effect.
- A 2021 cohort study from Collegium Medicum Nicolaus Copernicus University on older adults in Poland found that daily coffee consumption increased systolic and mean blood pressure over two years.
However, recent research indicates that long-term coffee consumption may have the opposite effect. A 2008 research published in Vascular Health and Risk Management by Johanna M Geleijnse showed those who drink four or more cups of coffee per day have a lower risk of developing hypertension, suggesting a protective effect. Similarly, a 2017 meta-analysis of 205,349 individuals and 44,120 hypertension cases by Giuseppe Grosso published in Nutrients found that increased coffee consumption (7 cups per day or more) was associated with a small decrease in risk of hypertension.
This table shows various studies on how does caffeine affect blood pressure.
| Study | Number of Participants | Amount of Coffee or Caffeine | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| The New England Journal of Medicine (1990) | 45,589 U.S. men | Habitual intake (4+ cups of coffee per day) | No association with high BP |
| JAMA Network (1996) | 85,747 US women | Habitual intake (6+ cups of caffeinated coffee per day) | No association with high BP |
| Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health (1999) | 11,000 men and women | Habitual intake (3-4 cups of caffeinated coffee per day) | Lower blood pressure |
| The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2006) | 27,312 postmenopausal women | Habitual intake (1-3 cups of coffee per day) | No association with high BP |
| Circulation (2006) | 44,005 men and 84,488 women | Habitual intake (1-6 cups of coffee per day) | No association with high BP |
| American Heart Journal (2004) | 1,902 patients who had a heart attack | Habitual intake (5+ cups of coffee per day) | No influence on high BP |
| The Lancet (2002) | 17,111 Dutch men and women | Habitual intake (6-7 cups of coffee per day) | Reduced risk of developing high BP |
| JAMA Network (2007) | 155,594 women | Habitual intake (4+ cups of coffee per day) | Inverse relation with high BP |
| The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2007) | 2,985 men and 3,383 women | Habitual intake (6+ cups of coffee per day) | Lower risk of developing hypertension in both men and women |
Does caffeine raise blood pressure the same as coffee? Researchers from Wageningen University explored this question in a 2005 meta-analysis of 16 randomized controlled trials with 1,010 subjects, published in the Journal of Hypertension. They found that taking caffeine tablets (410 mg/day) led to a significant increase in systolic blood pressure by 4.16 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 2.41 mmHg, whereas drinking 3 cups of caffeinated filter coffee (equal to 725 ml per day) resulted in smaller increases of 1.22 mmHg and 0.49 mmHg, respectively.
When examining how long caffeine raises blood pressure, a 1988 Australian study of over 5,000 participants found that the effect of caffeinated coffee on blood pressure was temporary, disappearing within 3 hours. This suggests that regular coffee consumption might not lead to chronic hypertension.
Can Caffeine Cause Chronic High Blood Pressure?
No, current research suggests that habitual caffeinated coffee consumption, even at high levels like 6 cups per day, is not associated with an increased risk of developing chronic high blood pressure in the general population. This is supported by findings published in The American Journal of Medicine. While a single cup of coffee does cause a short-term increase in blood pressure, regular caffeine intake does not have a lasting negative effect. This aligns with a 2011 study by Arthur Eumann Mesas from the Autonomous University of Madrid, which showed that 200-300 mg of caffeine led to a temporary increase in blood pressure, but only in individuals with diagnosed hypertension.
However, when addressing the question "is caffeine bad for high blood pressure patients," the answer is more complex for those already diagnosed with hypertension. A 2022 study by Masayuki Teramoto, published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, linked heavy coffee consumption (defined as more than two cups per day or exceeding 200mg of caffeine) with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality, specifically among people with severe hypertension. Additionally, older research (1992) by Valerie Burke from the University Department of Medicine at Royal Perth Hospital suggests potential interactions between coffee and antihypertensive medications.
This bar graph illustrates the relationship between coffee consumption and cardiovascular disease mortality rates across different blood pressure categories.
How Much Coffee Is Safe to Drink Without Raising Blood Pressure?
For most adults, consuming up to four cups of black coffee daily (400mg caffeine) is generally safe and unlikely to raise blood pressure. However, the exact amount of coffee that is safe to drink will depend on several factors such as age, gender, health status, and individual caffeine sensitivity.
- Drinking up to six cups of coffee per day may not increase the risk of developing hypertension in healthy adults, according to a 2017 meta-analysis by Giuseppe Grosso. In fact, the study suggests a non-significant decrease in the risk of hypertension with up to six cups per day, and a significant 9% decrease in risk was observed for those consuming seven cups per day.
- Drinking up to 3 cups of coffee per day is recommended for men to minimize the risk of developing hypertension, as indicated by a 2007 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. This study found that coffee abstainers had a lower risk of hypertension compared to those who drank more than 0-3 cups per day, with no significant protective effect observed at higher consumption levels for men.
- Drinking more than six cups of coffee per day may actually be associated with a lower risk of hypertension in women, according to a 2007 study by Cuno S P M Uiterwaal et al. published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. However, this research also found that women who abstain from coffee entirely have the lowest risk of hypertension compared to those who drink any amount.
- Drinking more than 100mg of caffeine per day, roughly equivalent to one cup of coffee, may increase blood pressure and the risk of hypertension in African American adolescents, according to a 2004 study published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine. However, the study did not find the same association in white adolescents or at lower levels of caffeine consumption.
- Drinking more than one cup of coffee daily may lead to a significant increase in systolic and mean blood pressure for seniors (60 years old or more). A 2021 observational study by Agnieszka Kujawska published in Nutrients suggests limiting coffee consumption to less than one cup per day, or even a few times per week, to avoid raising blood pressure.
- Drinking two or more cups of coffee per day may pose a risk for individuals with severe hypertension (grade 2-3), as this level of consumption was associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease mortality in a 2023 study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association. This research, part of the Japan Collaborative Cohort Study, tracked nearly 19,000 participants for almost two decades. While this study focused on a Japanese population, the findings raise concerns about heavy coffee intake for those with severely elevated blood pressure.
- Drinking coffee while taking certain medications can be risky. A study titled "The Effect of Coffee on Pharmacokinetic Properties of Drugs: A Review," published in Biomed Research International in July 2020, found that coffee can significantly impact how medications are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. This can lead to altered drug effectiveness or even toxic reactions. The study recommends avoiding coffee altogether with some medications or maintaining a specific time interval between coffee intake and medication administration to minimize potential interactions.
It's important to remember that individual responses to coffee's effect on blood pressure can vary. If you have any concerns about its impact on your health, consult with your healthcare provider for personalized advice on whether to increase, reduce, or eliminate coffee consumption.
Will Quitting Coffee Lower My Blood Pressure?
Quitting coffee increases the chances of lowering blood pressure for individuals with hypertension, according to a 2007 observational study in the Annals of Medicine. The study found that coffee drinkers developed sustained hypertension more frequently than abstainers. This finding was further supported by a 1994 randomized trial in the American Journal of Cardiology titled "Effects of cessation of caffeinated-coffee consumption on ambulatory and resting blood pressure in men."
The trial involved 150 men who were assigned to continue consuming caffeinated coffee, switch to decaffeinated coffee, or stop drinking coffee entirely for two months. The results showed that switching to decaffeinated coffee led to significant decrease in ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure, averaging a reduction of 9.7 mmHg and 6.9 mmHg, respectively. This indicate that quitting coffee, or switching to decaf, can lower blood pressure in regular consumers.
Does Drinking Decaf Coffee Raise Blood Pressure?
No, drinking decaffeinated coffee does not increase the risk of hypertension, according to a 2016 study from Stanford University School of Medicine published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. This study, which investigated the effects of both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee on 112,935 postmenopausal women, found no association between either type of coffee and increased blood pressure or the development of hypertension. A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology in April 1994 found that switching from caffeinated to decaffeinated coffee significantly reduced ambulatory systolic and diastolic blood pressure in middle-aged men. Therefore, the benefits of decaf coffee make it a safe alternative for individuals concerned about blood pressure.
What Is the Best Decaf Coffee for High Blood Pressure?
For those with high blood pressure, the best decaf coffee options are ones processed using the Swiss Water Process, which is chemical-free and preserves the coffee's flavor while minimizing caffeine content. Powerbean Coffee offers several great choices, including Decaf Cold Brew Coffee and Decaf Espresso Dark Roast Coffee, both of which are made using this method and feature organic and Fair Trade certifications. These decaf coffee beans options are not only beneficial for managing blood pressure but also provide rich and balanced flavors without the stimulating effects of caffeine.
