Khaberni - Coffee entered human life over 600 years ago, evolving over time from just a beverage to a part of the daily lifestyle for millions of people around the world.
Despite the common association between coffee and high blood pressure, the scientific picture is more complicated, and it reveals that moderation remains the crucial factor.
How does coffee affect blood pressure?
According to "Science Alert," caffeine in coffee is a stimulant to the nervous and muscular systems and may lead to an increased heart rate in some people, which can contribute to cardiac arrhythmias.
Caffeine also stimulates the adrenal glands to secrete adrenaline, which leads to an accelerated pulse and narrowing of blood vessels, temporarily raising blood pressure.
Caffeine levels in the blood reach their peak within 30 minutes to two hours after drinking coffee, while its half-life ranges between 3 and 6 hours.
This varies from person to person depending on age, genetic factors, and whether the person is accustomed to drinking coffee, as regular consumers eliminate caffeine faster.
Studies indicate that consuming caffeine may raise systolic blood pressure by 3 to 15 points, and diastolic pressure by 4 to 13 points, with the impact varying depending on the person's general health condition and baseline blood pressure.
Moderation is the key
Scientific evidence does not indicate the need for a complete cessation of coffee drinking, even for those with high blood pressure, but experts emphasize the importance of moderation and considering individual differences.
Doctors recommend knowing one's blood pressure and personal health history, being mindful of caffeine's effects before measuring pressure, and avoiding its consumption in the afternoon to maintain sleep quality.
It's also advisable not to exceed four cups daily, or to switch to decaffeinated coffee.
For those with severe high blood pressure, it is recommended to reduce consumption to one cup daily, consulting with a specialist doctor to determine the safe amount.
