Moderate coffee consumption can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes, a Malaga cardiologist has claimed.

Dr Aurelio Rojas shared the findings in a recent social media video, saying the latest scientific evidence shows coffee can be part of a healthy lifestyle when consumed in moderation.

According to Rojas, the findings are based on the largest scientific consensus on coffee’s health benefits published by the American Heart Association.

He said people who drink coffee have a 10% lower risk of suffering a heart attack, a 20% lower risk of stroke and a 30% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Moderate coffee consumption has also been linked to a lower risk of heart failure and even some types of cardiac arrhythmias.

Rojas explained that many of these benefits are thought to come from the coffee’s naturally occurring polyphenols and antioxidants, which help improve blood vessel function, reduce inflammation and increase insulin sensitivity.

The cardiologist said the greatest benefits were seen in people drinking between two and five cups of coffee a day, provided they consumed no more than 400mg of caffeine daily.

However, he stressed that filtered coffee is the healthiest choice.

Unfiltered coffee, such as that prepared using a French press or boiled methods, contains natural compounds that can raise levels of LDL, or ‘bad’, cholesterol. Using a paper filter removes much of these substances while preserving the drink’s beneficial antioxidants.

For most healthy adults, Rojas said, moderate consumption of filtered coffee appears to support cardiovascular health rather than harm it.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.