AKIPRESS.COM - Drinking a few cups of coffee a day may help people avoid clogged arteries - a known risk factor for heart disease - Korean researchers believe, reports BBC.

They studied more than 25,000 male and female employees who underwent routine health checks at their workplace.

Employees who drank a moderate amount of coffee - three to five cups a day - were less likely to have early signs of heart disease on their medical scans.

The findings reopen the debate about whether coffee is good for the heart.

There is a lot of confusion when it comes to the effect of coffee on heart health. Some studies have linked consumption to heart risk factors, such as raised cholesterol or blood pressure, while others suggest the beverage may offer some heart protection.

But there is no conclusive evidence either way, and the latest research from South Korea, which is published in the journal Heart, only adds to the discussion.

• In the US, experts say up to 400mg a day appears to be safe for most healthy adults
• There is no recommended daily upper limit for caffeine consumption in the UK, except for pregnant women
• If you're pregnant, you should limit the amount of caffeine you have to 200mg a day - equivalent to two mugs of instant coffee
• one mug of instant coffee: 100mg
• one mug of filter coffee: 140mg
• one mug of tea: 75mg
• one can of cola: 40mg