A new study has come up with findings that could be worrisome for people who drink more than four cups of coffee a day. The study revealed that coffee consumption of more than four cups a day can raise the risk of dying from a host of diseases.

According to researchers in the US, death cases from all causes rose by more than half in people under 55 years of age who consumed more than four cups of coffee a day.

The study was published in the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings. It suggested no harmful effects of heavy coffee consumption for older people.

The team was led by Steven Blair at the University of South Carolina. He said that younger people should avoid heavy consumption of coffee as it may increase their chances to die from various diseases.

Rise in blood pressure because of heavy coffee consumption has been suggested by previous studies while other studies highlighted its benefits for the immune system and cognitive functioning.   

"The exact mechanism between coffee and mortality still needs clarification. Coffee is high in caffeine, which has the potential to stimulate the release of epinephrine, inhibit insulin activity, and increase blood pressure", said Xuemei Sui, a co-author on the study.