In this episode of The Art of Being Well, I sit down with Calley Means – health activist, co-founder of TrueMed, and co-author of Good Energy – to expose how big food, pharma, and the medical system profit off chronic disease. We discuss the rigged incentives behind healthcare, how junk food companies manipulate policy, and why regulatory agencies protect industry profits over public health. Calley also shares how the Maha movement is driving change and what we can do to take back control of our health. If you’re ready to see the truth behind the system, this episode is a must-listen!

Informal advisor to RFK and Trump campaign, co-author or Good Energy, and Co-Founder of Truemed (enables HSA spending on food and exercise).  Calley is the co-author with his sister, Dr. Casey Means, of Good Energy: The Surprising Connection Between Metabolism and Limitless Health, which has spent 33 weeks on the NYTimes list and is the best-selling non-fiction book since its release in 2024. He is the founder of TrueMed, a company that enables tax-free spending on food and exercise.  He recently started an advocacy coalition with leading health and wellness companies called End Chronic Disease to lobby for change. Calley is an informal advisor to Robert Kennedy and the Trump administration on health policy, and helped the endorsement between the two men. He is a graduate of Stanford and Harvard Business School.

A few of my favorite things we cover in this episode: 

•  How the medical system profits from managing, not preventing, chronic disease.
• The Flexner Report and how it shaped modern medicine to prioritize drugs over prevention.
• Calley’s experience as a food and pharma lobbyist – how big food manipulates health policy.
• The SNAP to Medicaid pipeline and how it fuels chronic disease in low-income communities.
• Corporate capture of the FDA, NIH, and AMA – why regulatory agencies serve industry profits.
• How big food weaponizes social justice rhetoric to defend ultra-processed foods.
• Why health is political and gaining bipartisan momentum for real change.
• The Maha movement – fixing science, removing corruption, and prioritizing prevention.
• How independent voices like Bobby Kennedy are exposing the truth about food and medicine.
• Why this is a turning point – Americans are waking up, and the system is being forced to change.

Links to things we talked about in this episode: 

• Visit ClevelandKitchen.com/willcole right now and grab your first Cleveland Kitchen product FREE!
• Head to MANUKORA.com/WILLCOLE to get $25 off the Starter Kit, which comes with an MGO 850+ Manuka Honey jar, 5 honey travel sticks, a wooden spoon, and a guide book!
• 20% off all IQBAR products. Text ABW to 64000. Message and data rates may apply.
• Listeners of The Art of Being Well can claim an exclusive three-month free trial, with no credit card required at www.YNAB.com/willcole.
• Take proactive care of your health and head to OPositiv.com/WILLCOLE or enter WILLCOLE at checkout for 25% off your first purchase. 

Happy listening and we hope you learned a little bit more on the art of being well!

If you like what you hear, please rate and review the podcast, hit subscribe and pass it along to a friend.

In Health,

Dr. Will Cole

In my functional medicine telehealth practice, I’m seeing more of the dysautonomic condition POTS than ever.

This once underrecognized condition has been making the news because of its connection to COVID. But there are still a lot of questions, and today I’m going to dig into them.

For example, if you’re experiencing dizziness, fatigue, brain fog, and headaches, is it long COVID, is it POTS, or is it both? What’s the connection between COVID-19 and POTS? Is it the virus or the vaccine that’s triggering dysautonomia?

What makes someone more likely to develop POTS after a COVID infection or vaccination? What kinds of tests can help? And what is the functional medicine approach to treatment? We’ll get into all of it.

And let me just address some of the controversy around this topic upfront.

I know a lot of people— including a lot of clinicians— who are afraid to question vaccine safety. But it’s important for us to look critically at what we’re putting into our bodies. Almost nothing is black and white— vaccinations can save lives and they may cause problems for some.

And if we can identify risk factors that might make someone more susceptible to reacting badly to a vaccine, we can take steps to mitigate that risk.

I have dedicated my life to helping people improve their health, and I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t explore these questions head-on. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what we know.

An Overview of POTS

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a form of dysautonomia, or a syndrome that affects the autonomic nervous system (ANS).

The ANS regulates the kinds of bodily functions that we don’t consciously control. This includes things like breathing, blood pressure, temperature regulation, heart rate, digestion, and sweating.

Dysautonomia occurs when something goes wrong within that system. In the case of POTS, the hallmark issue is orthostatic intolerance, or an abnormally high heart rate when standing up.

This can lead to sudden symptoms upon standing including lightheadedness or dizziness, a rapid heartbeat or palpitations, and in some cases fainting.

Symptoms of POTS may include: 

• Intolerance to standing
• Orthostatic intolerance (abnormally high heart rate when standing)
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fatigue (often worse in the morning)
• General weakness
• Muscle pain
• Headaches
• Nausea, vomiting, or other digestive symptoms

POTS can affect anyone, but is seen most commonly in females between the ages of 15 and 50. The prevalence in the US is thought to have increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are several possible causes of POTS, and in most cases it’s likely a combination of different contributing factors. There are also certain risk factors that can make you more likely to develop POTS.

Causes of and risk factors for POTS include: 

• Viral or bacterial infections including Lyme disease, Epstein-Barr virus, pneumonia, or COVID
• Micronutrient deficiencies including vitamins E, B1, B3, B6, and B12
• Autoimmunity; an existing autoimmune condition including Hashimoto’s, Sjogren’s, or celiac disease
• Toxin exposure
• Chronic stress or history of trauma
• Variants in certain genes including NOS3 and ADRB2
• Dysfunction of the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system (impaired fight or flight response)
• Mast cell dysfunction or disorder
• Connective tissue disorders including Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)

An Overview of Long COVID

Long COVID, which also goes by several other names including post-COVID syndrome, post-acute COVID syndrome, and long haul COVID, occurs when a person experiences ongoing or long term symptoms following a COVID-19 infection.

Symptoms can last for weeks or months (sometimes a year or longer). Often, these longer term effects are different from the initial COVID-19 symptoms.

Symptoms of long COVID may include: 

• Chronic fatigue
• Brain fog, memory issues, or difficulty concentrating
• Digestive symptoms
• Post-exertional malaise (excessive fatigue after activity or exercise)
• Tinnitus, vibrating sensation in body, or other neurological changes
• Shortness of breath or chest pain
• Joint and/or muscle pain; general feeling of discomfort
• Difficulty sleeping
• Rashes or skin issues
• Autonomic dysfunction, including POTS

LISTEN: Jedediah Bila: Overcoming Chronic Lyme, Long COVID + How To Ghost Your Cell Phone To Take Back Your Life | Dr. Will Cole 

POTS After COVID-19: What’s the Connection?

After a COVID infection, some people develop dysautonomia, which may include POTS. According to some estimates, up to 14% of people may develop POTS after COVID. (1)

And up to 61% may develop symptoms that could be attributable to POTS (even if there’s no POTS diagnosis), including orthostatic intolerance, dysautonomia, and fatigue. (1)

Post-COVID POTS symptoms typically start between 6 and 8 months after an active SARS-CoV-2 infection, but this can definitely vary. (2)

We know that POTS can be triggered by various different kinds of viral and bacterial infections, so it may not be surprising that the virus that causes COVID can be a trigger.

In the case of COVID, research has shown that both the virus and the vaccine can trigger POTS.

What Causes POTS After COVID?

There are several ideas about what may be happening in the body to trigger POTS following a COVID infection or vaccine. As with most kinds of chronic illness, there likely isn’t one right answer— the mechanism will look a little different for everyone.

Here are two of the primary theories behind the connection:

#1. Immune System Overreactivity & Autoimmunity

For some people, a COVID (or other) infection may lead to an uncontrolled immune response and excessive inflammation, known as a cytokine storm. (3) The vaccine may also trigger an outsized inflammatory reaction for some people.

This immune system reactivity can lead to (or exacerbate) autoimmunity, causing the immune system to attack the self. The body may create autoantibodies to the ANS, triggering autonomic nervous system dysfunction including POTS. (1)

#2. A Direct Attack On the Brain

In some cases, the virus that causes COVID may directly attack parts of the brain that are involved in autonomic nervous system function, including the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. (4) The virus may also directly affect the cardiovascular system. (2)

COVID may also disrupt a mechanism called neurovascular coupling, which is involved in adjusting blood flow to the brain based on brain activity. (5) This can affect overall nervous system function, and may contribute to dysautonomia, including POTS.

Is It the Virus or the Vaccine?

The short answer is that both the COVID virus and the COVID vaccine have been shown to cause or trigger POTS for some people. (6)

Here’s a summary of what we know from the available research so far (which has several limitations): (7)

• Both the COVID virus and the COVID vaccine can trigger POTS.
• The virus is more likely to trigger POTS than the vaccine.
• The risk of developing POTS is higher 90 days after a COVID-19 vaccination compared with 90 days before vaccination. (2)
• Other types of vaccines, including the Gardasil vaccine for human papillomavirus (HPV), have also been linked to the development of POTS. (8)
• Those who are unvaccinated and do get a COVID infection are five times more likely to develop POTS after the infection than those who have been vaccinated. (2)

More research is being called for (and is underway) to help us better understand the connections between POTS, the COVID virus, and the COVID vaccine. (6)

Should You Get the Vaccine?

The COVID vaccine has been shown to help reduce the risk of severe symptoms, hospitalization, and death. And, for some people (especially those with underlying risk factors), it can trigger or exacerbate serious health problems. It’s not either/or, it’s both/and.

I’ve seen a lot of people dismissing the research on COVID vaccines triggering POTS because of the fact that the virus may trigger it more often. We need to continue to look at both.

Ultimately, I believe everyone should be able to decide for themselves whether or not they get a COVID vaccine.

Part of that decision process should likely involve finding out if you have any risk factors for an autoimmune reaction that could trigger POTS (see more on risk factors below).

You can work with a functional medicine practitioner to evaluate your risk profile and help support your body through whatever you choose to do.

Risk Factors

Not everyone gets POTS after COVID.

So from a functional medicine perspective, the question we’re really looking to answer when we see something like post-COVID-19 POTS is: why was someone’s body so susceptible to having this kind of reaction to a viral infection or a vaccine? What kind of underlying imbalances may be present?

As I write about in my book The Inflammation Spectrum, inflammation and autoimmunity occur on a spectrum. Many people have these underlying issues without realizing it, and most conventional doctors don’t really pay attention to the warning signs until a substantial amount of damage has been done.

These are the kinds of risk factors that can make someone more susceptible to getting POTS after a COVID infection or vaccination.

Here’s a list of potential risk factors: 

• Being a female of reproductive age
• Autoimmunity or a known autoimmune and/or inflammatory condition
• Gut microbiome imbalance and/or increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut)
• Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) (9)
• Mold or toxin exposure (10)
• History of trauma and/or chronic or severe stress
• Hypermobile Ehler-Danlos syndrome (EDS)
• Underlying medical issues including diabetes or cardiovascular disease

Testing For Underlying Imbalances

If you or someone you know has developed POTS following a COVID infection or vaccine, one of the most important steps to take towards healing is identifying what kinds of underlying imbalances may have caused this reaction.

Untangling these root causes will help you heal holistically rather than just managing your symptoms.

Different kinds of tests that may help to identify underlying imbalances or triggers might include:

• Immune system profiling and testing for markers of inflammation and autoimmunity
• Micronutrient deficiency testing
• Gut microbiome analysis
• Food sensitivity testing
• Comprehensive hormone testing including cortisol
• Mycotoxin (mold toxin) testing

These are just a few of the kinds of tests we might recommend at our functional medicine telehealth clinic, depending on your individual case, symptoms, and health history.

Treatment Options For Post-COVID POTS

Conventional POTS treatment generally involves some combination of supplementation with salt tablets, getting lots of hydration, wearing compression stockings, elevated the head of the bed, and medication such as midodrine in some cases.

Beyond these interventions and treatments (many of which are helpful and necessary, like staying hydrated), in functional medicine we also want to go a bit deeper.

POTS is a complex, multifaceted condition, and requires a comprehensive, personalized, root-cause based approach, focusing on addressing underlying imbalances.

While this looks a little different for everyone, here are a few treatments and remedies you may find helpful. Of course, it’s best to speak with a trusted healthcare provider before making any changes.

• Follow an anti-inflammatory, immune supportive diet consisting of whole foods. Work on identifying any hidden dietary triggers that may be affecting your symptoms.
• Incorporate regular aerobic exercise into your routine. This has long been shown to be one of the most effective treatments for POTS. Just make sure to choose safe options (for example a stationary bike) and/or work with a practitioner if your orthostatic intolerance and/or dizziness interfere with exercise.
• Take plenty of time for rest, including nourishing sleep and mindfulness practices like breathing exercises and meditation to help calm the nervous and immune systems.
• Make sure to get adequate hydration and sufficient salt intake, especially if your blood pressure is low. Work with your practitioner to determine how much of each is best for you.
• Try eating more frequent, smaller meals in order to avoid big blood flow changes associated with digestion.
• Support energy production and reduce oxidative stress and inflammation with glutathione, the body’s master antioxidant (glutathione can be taken as a supplement).
• Replenish deficient nutrients. In the case of POTS, deficiencies often include vitamin D, vitamin E, and various B vitamins. Supplements and/or food sources can help to bring your energy back up.
• Reduce inflammation naturally with the powerful plant compound berberine (this is one of my go-to supports for immune function and digestive health, and you can find my own berberine supplement here).
• Address underlying gut health imbalances with probiotics and/or prebiotics.
• Try humming, gargling, and/or singing to stimulate the vagus nerve, which can help to regulate your stress response and relax an overstimulated body.
• Consider low dose naltrexone (LDN), a medication that can be used off-label to help modulate the immune system and reduce inflammation. This isn’t necessary for everyone, but can be very helpful for some when used short term.

READ NEXT: Boost Your Immune System + Fight Off Sickness With These 2 Superstar Vitamins | Dr. Will Cole 

A Final Word on COVID and POTS

The connections between COVID and POTS may seem overwhelming, but with the right understanding and approach, it’s possible to untangle the web and get your quality of life back.

Given the multifaceted nature of both long COVID and POTS, I would always recommend a bio-individualized approach that addresses your specific imbalances and helps to heal and restore your body’s natural functions.

We’ve worked with many COVID-related POTS cases at our functional medicine telehealth clinic. Please reach out if you would like to learn more.

As one of the first functional medicine telehealth clinics in the world, we provide webcam health consultations for people around the globe.

In this episode of The Art of Being Well, I sit down with Matt Maruca—entrepreneur, health researcher, and founder of Ra Optics—to discuss the critical role light plays in our health. After struggling with chronic health issues as a teenager, Matt discovered the science of mitochondria and circadian rhythms, leading him to create the world’s most effective blue light protection glasses. We dive into how artificial light disrupts sleep, energy, and longevity, why sunrise exposure and red light therapy are game-changers, and the simple daily habits that can transform your health. If you’ve ever wondered how light affects your body beyond just vision, this episode is a must-listen!

Matt Maruca is the founder & CEO of Ra Optics, the leader in premium blue light protection eyewear. Matt founded Ra Optics after a decade-long journey to improve his own chronic health issues as a child and teenager. On his search, Matt became fascinated by the research on the important role that nutrition plays in our health. As he looked further, he came across the science of mitochondria, circadian rhythms, and how light influences these factors—playing an essential, but overlooked, role in our health and well-being.

He became fascinated by entrepreneurship, and decided that he could use the information that helped him to help others. He became aware of a gap in the market for blue light protection glasses which both (a) filter out the correct wavelengths of light based on scientific research, and (b) are high-quality, attractive, and truly enjoyable to wear.

A few of my favorite things we cover in this episode: 

•  How struggling with gut issues, allergies, and migraines as a teen led Matt to take his health into his own hands.
• The breakthrough moment and how discovering mitochondria and circadian rhythms changed his approach to wellness.
• What is biophysics? Understanding the science of light and its impact on health.
• The different wavelengths of light—how natural and artificial light affect the body throughout the day.
• What led Matt to create Ra Optics, and how his blue light blocking glasses stand out from the rest.
• How to properly use blue light protection glasses to maximize benefits for eye health, sleep, and overall wellness.
• The most important things anyone can do to optimize health using the science of light—sunrise exposure, meal timing, sunbathing, blue light protection, red light therapy, and sleep habits.
• How Ra Optics became the go-to blue light protection for so many well-known figures.

Links to things we talked about in this episode: 

• Head to Graza.co and use WILLCOLE to get 10% off of TRIO which includes Sizzle, Frizzle and Drizzle, and get to cookin’ your next chef-quality meal.
• You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/WILLCOLE and using code WILLCOLE at check out.
• Go to lumen.me/WILLCOLE to get 20% off your Lumen.
• Visit www.neuromastersacadey.com to access a free masterclass on Neurohacking and start transforming your mind & as a result even your body today.
• Right now, you get an amazing 20% off, or if you choose their already discounted subscription, you get almost a third off the price! Only available when you visit my exclusive URL Puori.com/WILLCOLE and use my promo code WILLCOLE. Or save 20% off when you make a one-time purchase – still such great savings.

Happy listening and we hope you learned a little bit more on the art of being well!

If you like what you hear, please rate and review the podcast, hit subscribe and pass it along to a friend.

In Health,

Dr. Will Cole

The facts are in: The world is obsessed with caffeine. Whether gulping down coffee, nursing an energy drink or capping off the evening with espresso martinis, 90 percent of American adults consume the plant-based stimulant daily.^[1]

A lot of the buzz has to do with benefits—energy, focus and concentration, just to name a few.^[2] But the caffeine craze has also turned controversial with myths swirling that regular consumption of the stimulant negatively affects the body. This includes theories that caffeine stunts growth and causes heart disease.

So, is caffeine bad for you? Here, we sift through myths vs facts and answer how caffeine really affects the body.

What Does Caffeine Actually Do to Your Body?

You already know how caffeine makes you feel—more awake, focused and ready to conquer the day. But what’s really happening below the surface?

Here’s a closer look.

Caffeine and Energy Levels

Fatigue is no match for caffeine. As a stimulant, it’s responsible for increasing activity in the brain and central nervous system.

Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors (adenosine is a neurotransmitter that promotes sleepiness) to kick energy into motion.^[3] It also supports feel-good neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin, for a long-lasting mood boost.

Caffeine and Sleep

If you consume too much caffeine (or too late in the day), the journey from sip to sleep may be exhausting. You may take longer to fall asleep, clock in fewer hours and toss and turn.^[4]

If that’s not bad enough, you’re more likely to go overboard on caffeine the next day to compensate for a crappy night’s sleep. This reinforces the vicious caffeine cycle.

What Are the Side Effects of Caffeine in the Body?

When it comes to caffeine, too much of a good thing applies. The Food and Drug Administration found that 400 mg (about three to four 12-fluid-ounce cups of coffee) is a safe daily caffeine consumption for most adults.^[5]

Your perfect cup varies depending on different factors, such as sensitivity to caffeine, medications you’re taking and whether you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.

If slam-dunking caffeine has become a sport, you’re more likely to experience unpleasant symptoms, such as caffeine jitters and the dreaded coffee poops.

Additional caffeine side effects include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Nervousness
• Fast heartbeat
• Heart palpitations
• High blood pressure
• Insomnia

Long Term Effects of Caffeine Use

If your relationship with caffeine started young and shows no signs of stopping, you’re not alone. Caffeine is the most popular psychoactive substance worldwide.^[6]

But being a coffee aficionado can have a dark side. One potential long-term effect is insomnia, a sleep disorder where it’s hard to fall asleep and stay asleep. This is largely affected by your daily intake of caffeine and timing.

After drinking coffee, the body absorbs 99 percent of caffeine within 45 minutes.^[7] The life cycle of caffeine in the body ranges between two hours and 12 hours. The number varies from person to person depending on metabolism, genetics and lifestyle choices (such as smoking).

To avoid burning the midnight oil, finish your last serving of caffeine earlier in the day. Putting the coffee down at 12 p.m., for example, should be enough time for the caffeine to leave your system.

Additionally, you can avoid counting sleep by counting your daily intake. In studies, insomnia was reported in heavy caffeine consumers (those who consume 600 mg or more per day)^[8] so, keep your intake below the daily 400 mg whenever possible.

Is Cutting Out Caffeine Good for You?

Cutting out caffeine is a double-edged sword aka there are negatives and positives.

Here, we explore the pros and cons to help you make the best decision.

How Do I Know If Caffeine Is Affecting Me?

If the problems of caffeine outweigh the perks, you may be sensitive to caffeine. You may experience symptoms after consuming only a small amount of caffeine.

Side effects include:

• Jitters
• Anxiety
• Heart palpitations
• Headaches
• Diarrhea
• Frequent urination
• Insomnia

Genetics can play a role, specifically the CYP142 enzyme, which may impact how fast the body metabolizes caffeine.^[9]

Caffeine sensitivity is not to be confused with caffeine intolerance or allergy. These are much more serious conditions that could cause these symptoms:

• Itchy skin
• Hives
• Facial swelling (lips, throat and tongue)
• In rare cases, difficulty breathing or anaphylaxis (a life-threatening condition)

Should You Quit Caffeine?

Calling curtains on caffeine isn’t an easy decision. Many have tried and many have failed.

If you’re sensitive to caffeine, your health is a good enough reason to cut back or call it quits. But if you down espresso with ease, a closer look at your relationship with caffeine may be needed to determine if it’s one worth keeping.

Consider keeping a running log so you can track any unpleasant symptoms after consuming caffeine. Headaches? Irritability? Anxiety?

Also, do a coffee audit to determine your dependency on caffeine. How many cups are you drinking per day? Are you sleeping well? Tracking your experience over time will help you decide where you and caffeine stand.

How to Transition Off Caffeine Safely

Going cold turkey on caffeine sounds great in theory. But in reality, withdrawal symptoms can happen within 12 and 24 hours as the brain adjusts to life without its dear friend.^[10] Potential awful symptoms include headaches, irritability and fatigue.

The key is to transition off caffeine gradually. Here are some tips to combat yourself and make the process less of a headache.

• Wean off caffeine slowly. Give yourself a window of three to four weeks. If you are drinking four cups of coffee per day, drink three cups per day for a week. Eventually reduce it to two and continue tapering off slowly until your caffeine habit has been safely kicked.
• Make small changes. Make doable swaps to build momentum and make the process easier. For example, switch from caffeine-heavy espresso to light roast coffee and caffeine-sodas to flavored sparkling water. Ditch black tea for little-caffeine to caffeine-free varieties, such as green tea or sage. How much caffeine is sage tea? It’s caffeine-free, so rest assured that you’ll get a good night’s sleep.
• Hydrate. Drink lots of water to energize your body in much the same ways caffeine does.
• Take a pain killer. Headaches are one of the most common symptoms of caffeine withdrawal. Stay ahead of the pain by taking over-the-counter pain killers.
• Get enough sleep. Fatigue is one of the common symptoms of quitting caffeine, so aim to get seven to nine hours per night

.

Caffeine Myths vs Facts: Common Misconceptions

There has been a lot of tea about caffeine—and not the good kind. These rumors run the gamut of caffeine dehydrating you, stunting your growth and raising your risk of an early grave.

Here, we debunk what’s real and what’s fiction.

Myth one: Caffeine stunts growth

Much like the Boogeyman under the bed, caffeine affecting growth is a white lie told by parents to prevent kids from unwanted behavior. It reportedly originated from an advertising campaign in 1895.

Those who sipped coffee young will be glad to know that caffeine affecting growth is not scientifically accurate.^[11] In fact, it may be linked to another myth about caffeine causing osteoporosis.

Myth two: Caffeine causes osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a bone disease that causes weak, thin bones. This can result in an increased risk of bone fractures. Decades ago, researchers believed that caffeine causes the body to lose more calcium through urination. Since calcium is an essential mineral for good bone health, they linked caffeine to causing osteoporosis.

But when these findings were analyzed with fresh eyes, it was found that the participants in the studies consumed lots of caffeine and not enough calcium-containing beverages, such as milk.^[12] As a result, the osteoporosis in participants was likely caused by a lack of dietary needs, not caffeine intake.

Myth three: Decaf coffee has no caffeine

Switching to decaf in the hopes that you’ll avoid caffeine? You may be surprised to learn that decaf still contains caffeine. The decaffeination process removes about 97% of caffeine, leaving behind about two mg per cup.^[13]

While not completely caffeine-free, it’s still significantly less caffeine than the average cup of Joe (about 95 mg for an eight-ounce cup).^[14]

Myth four: Caffeine raises your risk for heart disease

If you’re sensitive to caffeine, elevated blood pressure is par for the course. Older research even blamed caffeine for increasing the risk of heart disease from long-term high blood pressure.

But a fresh look from newer studies didn’t find a link between heavy caffeine drinkers and the risk of coronary artery disease and stroke.^[15] So while caffeine increases blood pressure, the long-term effects aren’t substantial enough to avoid the brew.