Heart group says coffee is safe for most adults up to five cups a day
The American Heart Association says regular coffee drinking may be tied to lower risks of stroke, diabetes and heart failure for some people.
By Tom Brennan · Health & Medicine Correspondent
2 min read
The American Heart Association says most adults can safely drink as many as five cups of coffee a day, according to a TODAY report. The guidance matters because the group also says newer research links regular coffee drinking with lower risk of several serious health conditions for some people.
According to the American Heart Association, regular coffee consumption may be associated with reduced risk of stroke, diabetes and heart failure in some individuals. The report describes the finding as a link, rather than a guarantee that coffee will produce those benefits for every adult.
What the report says
The American Heart Association’s report says coffee intake of up to five cups per day is safe for most adults. The report does not say that every adult should drink that amount, only that the level is considered safe for most people.
TODAY reported that the health benefits described in the research apply to paper-filtered coffee or instant coffee. The brief report did not cite the same benefits for every preparation method.
The American Heart Association’s findings add to public guidance on one of the most common daily drinks. Coffee is often discussed in terms of possible risks and benefits, and the group’s report places moderate daily consumption within a range it says most adults can tolerate.
Who may benefit
The research described by TODAY says the possible benefits apply to some individuals. Those benefits include lower risk of stroke, diabetes and heart failure, according to the American Heart Association.
The report does not identify which adults are most likely to see those associations. It also does not say that coffee should replace medical treatment or other health advice.
The guidance is limited to regular coffee consumption as described by the American Heart Association. For readers who already drink coffee, the report points to paper-filtered or instant coffee as the types tied to the stated health benefits.
The TODAY segment on the American Heart Association report aired July 21, 2026.
This story draws on original reporting from TODAY.com.