Acute Effect of Coffee on Central Arterial Stiffness and Hemodynamics

Coffee is widely consumed and several studies have examined the acute effects of coffee consumption on blood pressure. However, little attention has focused on the acute effects of coffee on central arterial stiffness, wave reflection, and aortic blood pressure, independent predictors of cardiovascular disease. The objective of this investigation was to conduct a randomized, placebo‐controlled study of the acute effects of coffee on central arterial stiffness and hemodynamics. Sixteen young males (21±2 yrs; means±SE) who were light caffeine users consumed 16 oz. of cold coffee, containing 160 mg caffeine, or placebo (cold water) on two visits separated by at least a week. Central arterial stiffness (carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity; cfPWV), aortic wave reflection (augmentation index normalized at heart rate 75; AIx75) and aortic blood pressures (systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure; aoSBP, aoDBP, aoMAP and pulse pressure; aoPP) were assessed using SphygmoCor XCEL (AtCor Medical) before and 1hr and 2hr after beverage consumption. In response to coffee, cfPWV increased at 1hr and remained elevated at 2hr (6.29±0.16 vs. 6.48±0.17 vs. 6.53±0.15 m/sec; P=0.03 for base vs. 1hr and P=0.004 for base vs. 2hr), but did not change in response to placebo (6.48±0.13 vs. 6.41±0.16 vs. 6.37±0.19 m/sec; P>0.5 for base vs. 1hr vs. 2hr and P=0.01 for condition × time). AIx75 decreased at 1hr and remained decreased at 2hr following coffee (5.5±2.9 vs. −2.4±3.1 vs. −1.7±3.3 %; P=0.0002 for base vs. 1hr and P=0.008 for base vs. 2hr) and placebo (3.9±2.8 vs. ‐ 3.7±2.5 vs. −6.7±2.6 %; P<0.0001 for base vs. 1hr and for base vs. 2hr), but to a different degree (P=0.015 for condition × time). AoSBP and aoPP were not affected by coffee or placebo (P>0.05). However, aoDBP and aoMAP increased in response to coffee by 7±2 and 5±1 mmHg, respectively, at 1hr and remained elevated at 2hr (aoDBP: 67±1 vs. 74±1 vs. 72±2 mmHg; P=0.002 for base vs. 1hr and P=0.03 for base vs. 2hr, aoMAP: 80±1 vs. 85±1 vs. 84±2 mmHg; P=0.003 for base vs. 1hr and P=0.04 for base vs. 2hr), but did not change following placebo (P>0.9 and P≥0.001 for condition × time). In conclusion, consumption of coffee containing 160 mg caffeine leads to acute changes in central arterial stiffness and hemodynamics in healthy young men. Future investigations should confirm these findings in women and examine whether responses are exaggerated in individuals who are hypertensive or have other cardiovascular disease risk factors. Support or Funding Information This work was supported by the Gatorade Trust through funds distributed by the University of Florida, Department of Medicine.