Toronto, Canada If you’re a regular coffee drinker, your morning ritual may be doing more than waking you up it might also be helping you age healthier, according to new findings presented at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting.
A major study involving over 47,000 women has found that drinking one to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily in midlife is linked to increased chances of reaching older age free from chronic disease and with good mental, physical, and cognitive health.
The study, led by Dr. Sara Mahdavi, an adjunct professor in the faculty of medicine and department of nutritional sciences at the University of Toronto, analyzed decades of dietary and health data from participants of the long-running Nurses’ Health Study. Women in their 50s were followed for 30 years to assess how their coffee habits correlated with aging outcomes.
“In this study, we found that moderate caffeinated coffee consumption during midlife was associated with a higher likelihood of healthy aging 30 years later,” Mahdavi said in a press briefing.
The health benefits were specifically tied to caffeinated coffee not decaffeinated coffee, tea, or caffeinated sodas. In fact, higher soda consumption was linked to lower odds of healthy aging, according to the research.
“This would imply that coffee in particular has health preserving or promoting effects,” commented Dr. David Kao, a cardiologist and women’s heart disease expert at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School. Kao, who was not involved in the study, said the results align with earlier research linking coffee to reduced risks of chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
While the findings are promising, the researchers caution that the study is observational. It does not prove that coffee directly causes healthy aging but rather shows a strong association. Factors such as lifestyle, diet, and demographics were accounted for, but unmeasured variables could still play a role.
Still, the results contribute to a growing body of evidence suggesting moderate coffee consumption is not only safe but may be beneficial, especially when consumed without excessive sugar or cream.
Coffee contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that scientists believe may contribute to its protective effects. These natural compounds could help mitigate age-related cellular damage and support brain and heart health.
Experts continue to warn against overconsumption, though. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends no more than 400 milligrams of caffeine a day—roughly the amount in four or five cups of coffee—to avoid negative side effects like insomnia, irritability, or rapid heart rate.
For now, your daily cup (or two) may be a smart addition to a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and mental stimulation.
So the next time you reach for your coffee mug, know that you could be pouring yourself a little sip of longevity.
