Cited by 351Coffee research and impactsBlood Pressure and Hypertension StudiesSodium Intake and Health

Coffee, caffeine and blood pressure: a critical review

Nurminen, M-L, Niittynen, L, Korpela, R, Vapaatalo, H·1999·European Journal of Clinical Nutrition

Abstract

Objective We review the published data relating to intake of coffee and caffeine on blood pressure in man. We also refer to studies on the possible mechanisms of actions of these effects of caffeine.Design The MEDLINE and Current Contents databases were searched from 1966 to April 1999 using the text words 'coffee or caffeine' and 'blood pressure or hypertension'. Controlled clinical and epidemiologic studies on the blood pressure effects of coffee or caffeine are reviewed. We also refer to studies on the possible mechanisms of action of these effects of caffeine.Results Acute intake of coffee and caffeine increases blood pressure. Caffeine is probably the main active component in coffee. The pressor response is strongest in hypertensive subjects. Some studies with repeated administration of caffeine showed a persistent pressor effect, whereas in others chronic caffeine ingestion did not increase blood pressure. Epidemiologic studies have produced contradictory findings regarding the association between blood pressure and coffee consumption. During regular use tolerance to the cardiovascular responses develops in some people, and therefore no systematic elevation of blood pressure in long-term and in population studies can be shown.Conclusions We conclude that regular coffee may be harmful to some hypertension-prone subjects. The hemodynamic effects of chronic coffee and caffeine consumption have not been sufficiently studied. The possible mechanisms of the cardiovascular effects of caffeine include the blocking of adenosine receptors and the inhibition of phosphodiesterases.

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Crossref · 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1600899

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96 of 96 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • In normotensive subjects, a single caffeine dose of 200-250 mg increases systolic blood pressure by 3-14 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure by 4-13 mmHg.

    “A single dose of caffeine (200-250 mg, equivalent to two to three cups of coffee) was found to increase systolic blood pressure (SBP) by 3-14 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) by 4-13 mmHg in normotensive subjects.”

    From Scientific Opinion on the safety of caffeine (2015) · cites this paper as Nurminen et al. (1999)

  • Evidence from experimental studies indicates that coffee acutely increases circulating concentrations of (nor)epinephrine, raises systolic and diastolic blood pressure, increases arterial stiffness, and impairs endothelium-dependent vasodilation.

    “Evidence from experimental studies indicates that coffee acutely increases circulating concentrations of (nor)epinephrine, 2 raises systolic and diastolic blood pressure, 3 increases arterial stiffness, 5,6 and impairs endothelium-dependent vasodilation.7”
  • Short-term metabolic studies have shown that caffeine can acutely increase blood pressure and could also acutely adversely affect arterial stiffness and endothelium-dependent vasodilation.

    “However, short-term metabolic studies have shown that caffeine can acutely increase blood pressure by antagonizing the adenosine A1 and A2A receptor,35–37 and could also acutely adversely affect arterial stiffness and endothelium dependent vasodilation.38, 39”

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Authors
Nurminen, M.-L., Niittynen, L., Korpela, R., & Vapaatalo, H.
Affiliations
  • University of Helsinki (FI)
  • Valio (Finland) (FI)
Corresponding author
Nurminen, M-L
Venue
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Published
1999-11-01
Volume
53
Issue
11
Pages
831-839
ISSN
  • 0954-3007 (ISSN-L)
  • 1476-5640
OpenAlex
W2025174591
Cited by
351
References
96
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 21
FWCI
2.83
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Academy of Finland
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Coffee research and impacts
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine › Blood Pressure and Hypertension Studies
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Sodium Intake and Health
Keywords
coffee, caffeine, blood pressure, hypertension, pressor response, caffeine tolerance, adenosine receptor blockade, phosphodiesterase inhibition
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Blood Pressure, Caffeine, Coffee, Hemodynamics, Humans, Hypertension, Middle Aged, MEDLINE

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