Many people ask, so does coffee really cause high blood pressure? There is so much information posted on this topic. Sheldon G. Sheps MD with the Mayo clinic says the caffeine in coffee can cause a short temporary increase in blood pressure. To see if caffeine might be raising your blood pressure, check your blood pressure before drinking a cup of coffee or other caffeinated beverage and again 30 to 120 minutes afterward. If your blood pressure increases by about five to 10 points, you may be sensitive to the blood pressure raising effects of caffeine. If you plan to cut back on caffeine, do so gradually over several days to a week to avoid withdrawal headaches.
Caffeine can cause blood vessels to decrease and may cause a rise in blood pressure, however studies show other compounds in coffee such as antioxidants have positive health effects to the body, and protective effect on blood vessels. Some studies show increased coffee consumption has a link to a small decrease in hypertension and can improve vessel elasticity. The benefits and risks of drinking coffee has been an ongoing debate and controversial. Coffee has been around for a 1000 years, and to sum it up a few cups of coffee every day studies show have no long term negative results to blood pressure when taken in moderation. Please continue to do research on the topic and enjoy a cup of coffee! And as always this is not advice, always check with your doctor regarding your blood pressure.
“A bad day with coffee is better than a good day without it.”
– Anonymous