Drinking coffee for BP? This is how caffeine affects your blood pressure

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Sipping on a cup of coffee can do many things to your body, including instantly elevating your blood pressure. This is why coffee is a popular choice when it comes to low blood pressure. The caffeine content in coffee causes a temporary increase in heart rate as well as blood pressure. However, drinking multiple cups of coffee every day can also put you at risk of high blood pressure. Also, it is important to note here that coffee, or even tea for that matter, does not have the same effect on everyone. This means that every coffee drinker might not benefit from the beverage in the same way when it comes to blood pressure. Therefore, it is very important to understand how to drink coffee for BP, how much coffee to consume, and when to check for results.

What is low blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the force by which blood passes through our arteries. It is usually measured in two values - systolic and diastolic. Systolic is the maximum blood pressure that is experienced when your ventricles contract, while diastolic is the minimum pressure that is experienced right before a contraction. The US National Institutes of Health states that normal blood pressure is usually recorded as less than 120/80 mm Hg. Low blood pressure is when your blood pressure readings are lower than 90/60 mm Hg. Your body reacts in a certain way when you have low blood pressure. Check out the tell-tale signs of low blood pressure.

Coffee for blood pressure: Does it help?

It is believed that coffee helps elevate blood pressure. Hence, if you have a lot of low blood pressure readings, coffee can help you feel better instantly. “However, the relationship between caffeine intake and blood pressure is controversial. The impact on blood pressure can potentially vary from individual to individual and more commonly between habitual drinkers and those who don’t consume regularly,” explains dietician Garima Goyal. A study, published in Nutrients, states that consumption of two to three cups of coffee may increase systolic blood pressure by 3–14 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 4–13 mmHg. It also stated that coffee consumption helped with endothelial vasodilatory function, which means that it helps to open up blood vessels so that blood can flow easily.

Benefits of drinking coffee for BP

Here are some ways that coffee affects blood pressure:

1. Increases BP temporarily

Coffee can help to increase blood pressure temporarily. A study, published in Expert Review of Cardiovascular Therapy, claimed that 200-300mg of caffeine in about 1.5- two cups of coffee, increased systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 8 mm Hg and 6 mm Hg respectively. This effect stayed up until three hours after consumption.

2. Reduces chances of hypertension

Hypertension is a health condition that is caused by high blood pressure. It is also known as a silent killer, as it does not showcase many symptoms. A study, published in Vascular Health and Risk Management, analyses the relationship between coffee consumption and the risk of hypertension. It was seen that women who consumed more than 6 cups of coffee per day, had a 33% reduced risk of hypertension, as compared to light coffee drinkers.

3. Contains antioxidants and bioactive compounds

These antioxidants and bioactive compounds contribute to lowering blood pressure, as well as maintaining overall well-being. Chlorogenic acid is a compound that is responsible for lowering blood pressure. When this acid is processed by gut microbiota, it is broken down into metabolites. This, in turn, helps to reduce blood pressure, states this study, published in Nutrients.

4. Helps improve heart health

Coffee may improve insulin sensitivity, which can help regulate blood sugar levels and indirectly lower blood pressure. Coffee may have anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit cardiovascular health. A study, published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, states that people who drank two to three cups of coffee regularly had a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

5. No longterm side effects

The slight rise in blood pressure after the consumption of caffeine is due to its blocking effect on certain hormones, which would help in widening your arteries and reducing blood pressure. This rise occurs only for a short period. However, it has no long-term effects on blood pressure and is not linked to the prevalence of high blood pressure. This means that if you have high blood pressure, you don’t have to necessarily stop all coffee intake.

However, it is important to note that these effects are not noticed in every coffee drinker. While some may feel jittery, some may not. Some may report that their blood pressure was impacted in a certain way and some may not. Drinking coffee has a host of other benefits as well such as keeping you alert, improving your physical performance, and helping you manage your weight. Check out the benefits of coffee to understand how it helps your body.

Coffee for BP: How much should you drink?

In general, around 400mg/day of caffeine is safe to consume for an adult. This is equivalent to 3–4 cups of coffee per day. “Caffeine has a definite impact on the cardiovascular system however, the effects are still under evaluation and require more thorough investigation. In that case, sticking to these recommended amounts and avoiding caffeine if it makes you uncomfortable will be your best bet,” recommends Goyal.

Coffee for BP: How long does it take to increase BP?

Coffee can take up to 30 minutes to show results where blood pressure is concerned. It will peak in one to two hours. The results will persist for up to four hours, states this study, published in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy.

Which type of coffee is best for BP?

Black coffee as well as coffee with milk works for blood pressure. The choice of black coffee or milk coffee ultimately depends on your goal. Talking about drinking coffee during the day, black coffee is a low-calorie option and if you are on a weight loss journey and don’t want to miss your morning coffee sessions, then this would be your best option. However, on the other hand, milk coffee contains a good amount of fat, calcium and vitamin D ensuring a good amount of calories and nutrients. However, if you suffer from high blood pressure, then drinking decaffeinated coffee might be a good option for you. Check out some tips on how to make your coffee healthy.

What are the other drinks that help with blood pressure?

Apart from caffeine, several herbal teas might induce a blood pressure-lowering effect. Herbal tea such as hibiscus tea and chamomile tea may lower blood pressure. However, more scientific studies, on a larger number of participants, are still underway to suggest this as a recommendation. It is important to consult your nutritionist and physician before starting with these teas if you have any cardiovascular condition. Check out other healthy drinks for blood pressure here.

Summary

Blood pressure management is not a one-cup solution. Although there is evidence that caffeine affects blood pressure, it is still unclear, and more research is needed on the same. Therefore, it is best to enjoy any caffeine-based beverage in moderation and accordance with your preferences while eating a healthy, balanced diet that can help prevent hypertension. Also, it is important to consult your healthcare provider if you are regularly recording low or high blood pressure. While coffee can be an effective home remedy for blood pressure, medication would be required for very frequent cases.