A major academic review of coffee-and-health-related literature over the past two decades found that regular moderate coffee consumption is associated with decreased all-cause mortality and chronic diseases.
Key Findings
- Regular coffee consumption was associated with a 17% reduction in all-cause mortality, equating to an average increase of 1.8 years of healthspan, i.e., the length of time someone stays healthy without chronic or debilitating diseases.
- Two key coffee components — caffeine and chlorogenic acids — may help counter inflammation, stress and cellular aging.
- Moderate intake, defined as 2–3 cups daily, shows the strongest association with reduced risks of cardiovascular disease, memory loss and frailty.
Published in Ageing Research Reviews, an Elsevier title, the report drew upon more than 50 international studies, compiling evidence that coffee consumption may indeed mitigate the effects of aging while increasing both lifespan and healthspan.
Cátia Lopes and Rodrigo Cunha, both of the CNC Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology in Portugal, authored the study.
[Editor’s note: This study was sponsored by Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC), a 24-year-old nonprofit that counts six of the largest coffee companies in Europe — including Nestlé, Illy, Paulig, Tchibo, JDE Peet’s and Lavazza — among its members. The group maintains that it supports independent scientific research, regardless of the results.]
The study reinforces a wealth of scientific literature over the past decade-plus showing health-related benefits associated with coffee, particularly in aging populations. Combined, these studies essentially reverse many health-related assumptions about coffee that stood through much of the 20th century.
“The conception of coffee consumption has undergone a profound modification, evolving from a noxious habit into a safe lifestyle actually preserving human health,” the authors wrote. “The last 20 years also provided strikingly consistent epidemiological evidence showing that the regular consumption of moderate doses of coffee attenuates all-cause mortality, an effect observed in over 50 studies in different geographic regions and different ethnicities.”
Specific Benefits
The findings highlighted coffee’s impact on these specific age-related health outcomes:
- Cardiovascular Health: Regular coffee consumption was associated with a reduced risk of hypertension, stroke and heart disease. The strongest benefits have been seen with 2–3 cups per day, suggesting a dose-dependent relationship.
- Cognitive Function: Coffee appears to delay the onset of memory decline and depression, both of which are common in older adults. Coffee’s neuroprotective effects are linked to its ability to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in brain tissues, according to the review.
- Cancer Prevention: Contrary to earlier misconceptions, moderate coffee consumption is associated with a lower risk of several cancers, including liver and colorectal cancers. This protective effect may be due to coffee’s role in regulating cell proliferation and reducing inflammation.
- Respiratory Health: The study notes a reduced risk of respiratory diseases among coffee drinkers.
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