Now you can have your third daily cup of coffee and not feel unhealthy while you do it! According to a recent study, a third cup of coffee per day may be good for your heart. Researchers found that people who drink between 3 to 5 cups of coffee per day are more likely to have less coronary artery calcium (CAC) than those who drink no coffee at all. The study also found a correlation between people who drink between 1 to 3 cups of coffee a day and a reduced prevalence of CAC, according to a paper published Monday in the Journal Heart. But you shouldn’t overdo it! Drinking more than 5 cups of coffee per day can be associated with higher levels of CAC, the authors note.
Calcium in the coronary artery isn’t always a major health risk, however at high enough levels it can be an early sign of coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease occurs when plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, which in turn reduces the flow of blood to the heart. The authors of the study write that their results add to a growing body of evidence that moderate consumption of coffee is good for the heart.
