For many coffee drinkers, a shot of caffeine is required to feel awake and energised.

But not only does that espresso or latte taste good, but it may have a key health benefit too.

Researchers from the University of Bologna have reported that people who drink two or three cups of coffee a day have lower blood pressure than those who drink just one cup or none at all. The finding applies both to peripheral and central aortic pressure.

“The results obtained show that those who regularly drink coffee have significantly lower blood pressure, both on peripheral and central levels, than those who do not drink it,” explained first author Arrigo Cicero, while Professor Claudio Borghi added: “This is the first study to observe this association in the Italian population, and the data confirm the positive effect of coffee consumption on cardiovascular risk.”

For the study, the team analysed the blood pressure levels and coffee consumption habits, along with a range of other clinical data, of around 1,500 men and women.

“The results are very clear: peripheral blood pressure was significantly lower in individuals consuming one to three cups of coffee a day than in non-coffee drinkers,” noted Cicero.

“And for the first time, we were also able to confirm these effects with regard to the central aortic pressure, the one close to the heart, where we observe an almost identical phenomenon with entirely similar values for habitual coffee drinkers compared to non-coffee drinkers.”

Full study results have been published in the journal Nutrients.

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