Now we know that Gilmore Girls made it seem like there was no such thing as “too much coffee”. And while it seemed like Lorelai Gilmore constituted of 70% coffee instead of water, the reality is they used to drink Coke on the show. So now the question arises, do you ever look at your cup of coffee and can’t seem to recall if it’s your fourth or fifth cup of the day? A new study shows that refilling your cup often can be hurting your health. Here’s how:
Researchers from the University of South Australia analyzed the health records and self-reported dietary patterns of 347,077 participants between the ages of 37 and 73. They also looked to see which study participants possessed a specific gene variant, called CYP1A2, that enables people to metabolize caffeine faster than those without the variant.Overall, the researchers found that people who said drank six or more cups of coffee a day were 22% more likely to develop cardiovascular disease during the study period, compared to those who drank one to two cups daily. They also concluded that this association was independent of genetic makeup; in other words, people with the caffeine-metabolising gene were not able to safely drink more than those who don’t have it.
The study authors believe that coffee (in large quantities) and heart problems may be linked because excess caffeine consumption can cause high blood pressure, a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide, yet it’s also one of the most preventable.
Caffeine can be great in small doses. That’s because caffeine helps your body work faster and harder, but it is also likely to suggest that you may have reached your limit for the time being. If consumed in moderate doses, coffee can actually be good for you since it is loaded with antioxidants. Stick to moderation and enjoy your cup of coffee, but go overboard and your health will pay for it.