Drinking caffeinated coffee may help improve blood flow, Counsel and Heal reported.

In a study presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2013, researchers studied the effects of caffeinated coffee on 27 adults, between the ages of 22 and 30, who were not regular coffee drinkers.

On the first day, each participant drank one 5-ounce cup of either regular caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee. Researchers then measured the blood flow in their fingers using non-invasive laser Doppler flowery, which measures the vascular function and takes into consideration how well small blood vessels function. 

Two days later, researchers repeated the procedure with the other type of coffee. Participants experienced a 30 percent increase in blood flow to their fingers for a 75 minute-period after drinking caffeinated coffee, compared with those who drank decaffeinated coffee, Counsel and Heal reported. 

Caffeinated coffee slightly raised participants' blood pressure and decreased finger blood flow, compared with decaf. Heart rate levels were the same when participants drank decaf or regular coffee.

"Our findings give us a clue about how coffee may improve cardiovascular health," said Masato Tsutsui, one of the authors of the study and cardiologist and professor in the pharmacology department at the University of the Ryukyus in Okinawa, Japan.

Ryukyus said if people know the positive effect of coffee, it would lead to a new treatment strategy for disease in the future. 

Cardiologist Vincent Bufalino, a spokesman for the heart association and senior vice president for the Advocate Cardiovascular Institute in Chicago, said it is hard to come to a "scientific conclusion" based on a small study. 

"Small amounts of coffee may have a benefit, but a higher consumption of coffee definitely raises blood pressure," he said. "It definitely raises heart rate, and it makes you more prone to heart palpitations.

"We see that every day in terms of the use of caffeine in patients. A lot of people sense that a cup of coffee gives them a lift but too much can have negative effects," he said. 

The new study was funded in part by the All Japan Coffee Association.