American Heart Association says up to 400 mg caffeine a day is safe for most adults

The American Heart Association (AHA) released a review stating that most adults can safely consume up to 400 mg of caffeine each day – roughly five 240 ml cups of plain coffee. The report notes that moderate coffee intake may be linked to a lower risk of several cardiovascular diseases, partly due to coffee’s antioxidant compounds.

The AHA warns that concentrated caffeine sources, such as energy drinks and “energy shots,” often contain much higher caffeine doses and can raise blood pressure and trigger heart‑rate disturbances, especially in people without prior heart problems. Professor Gregorio Markos, chair of the AHA writing panel, emphasized that while coffee’s natural compounds may offer health benefits, high‑dose caffeinated products should be avoided.

The findings highlight a distinction between the effects of ordinary coffee and highly concentrated caffeine products, underscoring the importance of dose and additional ingredients like sugar or cream in determining overall cardiovascular impact.