Effect of coffee on endothelial function in healthy subjects: the role of caffeine

Abstract

Coffee is one of the most widely used pharmacologically active beverages. The present study was designed to evaluate the acute effect of coffee ingestion on endothelial function in healthy individuals, and the potential role of caffeine. We studied 17 healthy young adults (28.9+/-3.0 years old; nine men), who were regular non-heavy coffee drinkers. The endothelial performance was estimated by endothelium-dependent FMD (flow-mediated dilatation) of the brachial artery before and 30, 60, 90 and 120 min after ingestion of a cup of caffeinated coffee (80 mg of caffeine) or the corresponding decaffeinated beverage (< 2 mg of caffeine) in two separate sessions, following a randomized single-blind cross-over design. There was no difference in baseline FMD values between the two sessions [7.78 compared with 7.07% after caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee respectively; P = NS (not significant)]. Caffeinated coffee led to a decline of FMD (7.78, 2.86, 2.12, 4.44 and 4.57% at baseline, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min respectively; P < 0.001). This adverse effect was focused at 30 (P = 0.004) and 60 min (P < 0.001). No significant effect on FMD was found with the decaffeinated coffee session (7.07, 6.24, 5.21, 7.41 and 5.20%; P = NS). The composite effect of the type of coffee consumed over time on FMD was significantly different (P = 0.021). In conclusion, coffee exerts an acute unfavourable effect on the endothelial function in healthy adults, lasting for at least 1 h after intake. This effect might be attributed to caffeine, given that decaffeinated coffee was not associated with any change in the endothelial performance.

Acute effects of coffee on endothelial function in healthy subjects

“…To our knowledge, this is the first study that has assessed the effects of espresso coffee on FMD in healthy subjects with a double-blind, crossover study design in an Italian cohort. Our results parallel a study of 17 healthy subjects testing an instant CC or DC with randomized single-blind (operator) crossover design (Papamichael et al, 2005). Results showed a significant reduction in FMD after CC ingestion with a maximum at 60 min, but a nonsignificant reduction of FMD with DC ingestion, contrary to the trend that we observed.…”

Acute effects of renin-angiotensin system blockade on arterial function in hypertensive patients

“…33,34 Two-dimensional and Doppler images of the right brachial artery for diameter and flow determination were initially recorded under resting conditions. Resting mean flow velocity was assessed by a pulsed Doppler signal, from a sample volume placed in the middle part of the artery.…”

Coffee with a high content of chlorogenic acids and low content of hydroxyhydroquinone improves postprandial endothelial dysfunction in patients with borderline and stage 1 hypertension

“…Some studies have shown that acute administration of coffee has a harmful effect on endothelial function in healthy subjects [24,25], while other studies have shown that coffee improves endothelial function [26,27]. In addition, the association between coffee drinking and risk of cardiovascular disease remains inconclusive [15,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23].…”

“…However, there have been conflicting results regarding the association between coffee drinking and risk of cardiovascular disease [19][20][21][22][23]. The effect of coffee on endothelial function is also controversial [24][25][26][27]. One possible reason for the different results of studies is that the contents of chlorogenic acids, which are the most abundant antioxidants in coffee, may vary depending on several factors [16].…”