Caffeine And Your Heart: Does It Really Affect This Organ?

While some previous research has suggested that the caffeine from tea or coffee may increase the risk of heart palpatations or irregular beating, a new report challenges the belief that caffeine affects our heart at all.

Researchers at the University of California San Francisco examined over 1,000 people (average age 72)-60 percent of whom said they drank caffeinated products every day. After measuring instances of premature ventricular contractions and premature atrial contractions, the study showed that there were no differences in heart distrubances no matter how much coffee, tea or chocolate the individuals consumed.

"Clinical recommendations advising against the regular consumption of caffeinated products to prevent disturbances of the heart's cardiac rhythm should be reconsidered, as we may unnecessarily be discouraging consumption of items like chocolate, coffee and tea that might actually have cardiovascular benefits," said lead study author Dr. Gregory Marcus who is a cardiologist at the University of California San Francisco, in a statement. "Given our recent work demonstrating that extra heartbeats can be dangerous, this finding is especially relevant."

While researchers cautioned that they did not ask participants if they drank coffee and they cut back on consumption from heart issues, coffee still remains the most commonly consumed beverage in the United States. Furthermore, it's consumption has been known to lower the risk of a number of health problems.

The study is published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

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