Drinking coffee can reduce heart palpitations, according to recent research. Three cups a day can lower potentially deadly heart palpitations by up to 13 per cent, reducing the risk of a heart attack or stroke say scientists.

A study of more than 340,000 people found both tea or coffee protect against common heart rhythm disturbances. Healthy antioxidants in caffeine are probably behind the phenomenon, said cardiologist Professor Peter Kistler.

It’s commonly assumed coffee can cause the heart to beat faster - potentially causing illness. Lead author Professor Kistler, director of electrophysiology at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, said: "There is a public perception - often based on anecdotal experience - that caffeine is a common acute trigger for heart rhythm problems.

“Our extensive review of the medical literature suggests this is not the case.”

His team showed caffeine protected against both atrial fibrillation (AF) and ventricular arrythmia (VA). The life-threatening conditions occur in each of the heart’s two upper and lower chambers respectively.

Prof Kistler said caffeine blocks a molecule that fuels AF - the most common heart beat problem that can progress to heart failure. It affects about 1.4 million adults in the UK. It causes the heart to beat irregularly or very fast.