According to a news release from the American Heart Association, coffee may help blood vessels work better.

An examination of 27 healthy adults revealed — for the very first time — that imbibing a cup of coffee notably enhanced blood flow in a finger, which is a mark of how well the inner lining of the body’s smaller blood vessels operate. In particular, adults who imbibed a cup of coffee had a 30 percent rise in blood flow over a 75-minute period when examined in contrast to those who imbibed decaffeinated coffee.

Previous research revealed that imbibing coffee is associated with lower risks of passing away from heart disease and stroke, and that high doses of caffeine may enhance the function of bigger arteries.

The participants were individuals who did not routinely imbibe coffee, ranging in age from 22 to 20. On one day, each individual imbibed one five-ounce cup of either regular or decaf coffee. Then scientists determined finger blood flow using laser Doppler flowmetry, a non-invasive method for measuring blood circulation on a microscopic level. Several days later, the experiment was repeated using the other type of coffee.

The researchers recorded blood pressure, heart rate, and vascular resistance levels. They also obtained blood samples to examine levels of caffeine and to rule out the role of hormones on blood vessel function.

Caffeinated coffee somewhat increased participants’ blood pressure and enhanced vessel inner lining function when examined in contrast to decaf coffee. Heart rate levels were the same between the two types of coffee.

Researchers aren’t sure how caffeine actually enhances small blood vessel function. However, Tsutsui posts that caffeine may assist with the opening of blood vessels and the abatement of inflammation.