Indrė Sasnauskaitė¹, Vilija Grumuldytė¹, Monika Liugailaitė¹

¹ Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Medical Academy

Abstract

Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive drug in the world, easily found in highly popular beverages, such as coffee, green or black tea and energy drinks. A lot of studies were conducted to evaluate caffeine as a psychostimulant effect on human health, especially the heart. The results do not reach a consensus. Previous studies have found a negative impact of caffeine on the heart. However, more recent researches show the opposite — moderate caffeine consumption is not harmful and even could lessen the risk of cardiovascular diseases [1,2]. Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death in the world. Doctors usually suggest for patients with heart diseases to decrease consumed amount of caffeine or drink decaffeinated coffee [3]. However, European Society of  Cardiology claims that moderate consumption of caffeine is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases [4]. In order to protect young people from developing cardiovascular disorders due to harmful usage of caffeine, the major concern should be focused on energy drinks consumption which contain high concentrations of caffeine. Also, the usage of few stimulants and alcohol beverages at the same time should be taken into consideration [5]. This article is based on the systemic reviews and meta-analysis and focused on the effect of caffeine to cardiovascular system.

Keywords: caffeine; coffee; energy drinks; cardiovascular system.