Pumpkin Spice Season Is Here: What Your Cardiologist Wants You to Know About Coffee and Caffeine

Fall is here, and for many people that means reaching for a pumpkin spice coffee or another seasonal favorite. While your morning cup may give you the boost you are looking for, what does all that caffeine actually mean for your heart?

A recent American Heart Association scientific statement offers some reassuring news for coffee drinkers. For most adults, consuming up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day, roughly the amount in three to five 8-ounce cups of caffeinated coffee, without added sugars or fillers does not increase cardiovascular risk. Research has even linked moderate coffee consumption with a lower risk of several conditions, although researchers caution that many of those studies are observational and cannot prove that coffee itself provides the benefit.

Gene Iucci, DO, FACC, a cardiologist who treats patients at Penn Cardiology Somers Point, says it is important to distinguish between coffee and caffeine alone.

Coffee beans contain naturally occurring compounds that may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. An energy drink, on the other hand, may deliver a much larger dose of caffeine along with sugar, artificial sweeteners and other ingredients.

"There's a difference," Iucci said. "When we talk about coffee, we're talking about beans" and the potential benefits of compounds naturally found in them.

That distinction becomes especially important with energy drinks. According to the American Heart Association, energy drink shots can contain three to four times as much caffeine as regular coffee, and very high doses of caffeine have been linked to abnormal heart rhythms, even in otherwise healthy adults younger than 30. High doses can also significantly raise blood pressure, particularly in people who already have high blood pressure.

Iucci recommends checking the label of an energy drink for both caffeine and sugar content rather than assuming one can is equivalent to one cup of coffee. Consuming too much caffeine in a short period can lead to heart racing, palpitations, jitteriness and a noticeable crash afterward.

He is particularly concerned when large amounts of caffeine are combined with alcohol, nicotine, marijuana or other substances. While an occasional energy drink may not cause problems for the average healthy adult, consuming several in a short period or combining stimulants with other substances can increase the likelihood of unwanted cardiovascular effects.

And then there is that pumpkin spice coffee.

The coffee itself may not be the biggest concern. Specialty coffee drinks can contain significant amounts of added sugar from flavored syrups and other ingredients. A drink that starts with coffee can quickly become a major source of added sugar before you have eaten anything else that day.

That does not mean you have to give up your favorite fall coffee. Iucci recommends simply being aware of what is going into your cup. Black coffee or coffee with a small amount of milk or sweetener is very different nutritionally from a large specialty drink loaded with syrups and other additions.

Caffeine also affects everyone differently. The American Heart Association notes that short-term effects can include temporary increases in blood pressure, heart rate and blood sugar, as well as palpitations and sleep disruption. Genetics, age, metabolism and regular caffeine use can all influence how someone responds.

So enjoy that fall cup of coffee, but pay attention to what is in it and how your body responds. When it comes to caffeine and your heart, more is not necessarily better, and what comes along with the caffeine can matter just as much.

To schedule an appointment with Gene Iucci, DO, FACC, at Penn Cardiology Somers Point, located on the second floor at 155 Medical Center Way, Somers Point, NJ 08244, call 609-365-3100.