Cowboys 'Half Lived' On This Superfood—now Proven To Lower Heart Disease Risk
Who knew cowboys were really on to something when they all huddled around the campfire, sipping their black coffee to their hearts' content? In July 2026, the American Heart Association (AHA) put out a statement offering new guidance on coffee consumption, according to a 2026 study in Circulation.
"The latest research supports the conclusion that for most adults, consuming up to 400 mg of caffeine/day (or up to 5, 8-ounce cups of caffeinated coffee per day) is safe and appears to be linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease for some individuals," the AHA advised in a release. Yes, you read that right: Research indicates there may be actual heart health benefits to sipping coffee throughout the day. Yippee-ki-yay!
But hold your horses right there, partner — those energy drinks and shots containing astounding doses of caffeine are another story. "Higher doses of caffeine, such as levels found in energy drinks including energy shots, may cause cardiovascular harm," the organization cautioned. Add that one to the list of things that happen when you drink energy drinks every day.
Black coffee has other health benefits, too
As it turns out, black coffee also contains a natural compound that can reduce your Type 2 diabetes risk: chlorogenic acid. "It's one of the most potent antioxidants that we know," sports nutritionist Tom Coughlin told Business Insider in March 2026. "High doses of antioxidants can be very beneficial for us across loads of different areas within the body." A superfood, indeed.
Alas, it's not just coffee's nutritional content that's beneficial; the mere ritual of making coffee alone has benefits, too. But don't just take our word for it. "Coffee helps feed the brain with the aroma, the taste, and the moment," Agenor Limon, a professor of neurology at the University of Texas Medical Branch, explained to Business Insider. "If we're very rushed and distracted, we don't focus on things. That's a problem later in life," Limon added.
Now, if only cowboys were as diligent about their hygiene rituals — bathing wasn't considered good hygiene for cowboys in the Wild West, for instance — but that's a story for a different time.