Myth 5: Coffee is bad for the heart

For years, people with heart rhythm problems were told to avoid coffee, but the evidence has now moved on considerably.

In the DECAF trial, published in the Journal of American Associated Medicine in November 2025, 200 people with atrial fibrillation (AF) who had undergone cardioversion (a procedure that resets an abnormal heart rhythm back to a regular pattern) were randomly assigned either to keep drinking caffeinated coffee or to avoid all caffeine for six months. AF or atrial flutter returned in 47 per cent of the coffee group, and in 64 per cent of those who abstained – a 39 per cent lower risk.

This was a relatively small trial of people who were already coffee drinkers, so it does not suggest that non-drinkers should start drinking coffee for heart health, and since caffeine can cause a short-term rise in blood pressure, people with uncontrolled high blood pressure should still be cautious.

The verdict: Moderate coffee is not harmful to the heart for most people, and may even be protective. Anyone with a heart condition should follow the advice of their GP or specialist.