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Your morning cup of coffee may be doing more for your body than providing an energy boost.
A new scientific study from the American Heart Association says drinking several cups of black coffee a day is not only safe for adults but can also lower the risk of heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions.
Coffee has seen a long history of conflicting health reports. In 1991, the World Health Organization labeled coffee as a possible carcinogen, but it was downgraded in 2016 due to a lack of evidence. With new research showing coffee may actually provide some health benefits, here's what coffee drinkers need to know.
How much coffee can I drink in a day?
Consuming 400 mg of caffeine per day, or about three to five 8-ounce cups of black coffee, is generally safe for most adults, according to the new report published Monday in the association's peer-review journal, "Circulation." Coffee consumption is also linked to a lower risk of some cardiovascular conditions, such as heart failure, heart disease and stroke.
The study says these potential health benefits apply only to black, filtered coffee and does not apply to synthetic caffeine drinks, such as energy drinks. Additionally, researchers say adding sugar, flavored syrups or dairy to the drink can reduce the health benefits.
Consuming drinks with high levels of synthetic caffeine like energy drinks could lead to high blood pressure or irregular heart rhythms, according to the study.
Related: Understanding heart disease in the rural South
How does coffee affect my heart?
Drinking two to four cups of black coffee a day has been linked to a lower risk of heart disease, heart failure and stroke, the study says. However, drinking more than four cups a day may increase the risk of heart failure specifically, according to the association.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for people in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Consuming black coffee may also reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes, according to the study. However, researchers note this may be related to drinking coffee more than caffeine itself.
"Although research suggests that caffeine consumption may be associated with certain cardiovascular benefits for some people, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all' strategy for safe caffeine consumption," said Dr. Gregory M. Marcus, chair of the scientific statement volunteer writing group, in a news release from the association.
Marcus is also a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine and the associate chief of Cardiology for Research at the University of California, San Francisco Health.
Coffee's impact on blood pressure depends on the amount of caffeine consumed, the study found. Drinking one to three cups of black coffee a day is associated with developing high blood pressure, while drinking more than three cups per day is associated with a lower risk.
The study also researched coffee's effect on cholesterol, finding that unfiltered coffees with cafestol may lead to higher cholesterol levels. This includes espresso, French press, Turkish coffee and boiled coffee.
Related: FDA approves a first-of-its-kind pill to cut cholesterol in high-risk patients
How does coffee affect the body?
Caffeine from coffee is typically metabolized within an hour, according to the release. Different people will metabolize caffeine at different speeds, which can influence how long its effects last and how the body responds.
The association encourages individuals consuming coffee to pay attention to how their body responds, and to talk to a healthcare provider since caffeine tolerance can vary depending on age, medications or other health conditions.
"What may be a reasonable amount for one person could cause unwanted effects, such as heart palpitations, anxiety or sleep disruption, in another," Marcus said.
The study said more research is still needed about how different sources of caffeine, such as medications or energy drinks, can impact cardiovascular health.
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