The positive effects of coffee on staving off mortality were applicable across all genders and ethnicities studied (spanning the Americas, Europe, Australia, and Asia). These findings also applied to people with underlying health conditions such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, and cancer and those without preexisting health concerns. So what, exactly, is in coffee that makes it such a powerful elixir?
“Brewed coffee contains several different components that are linked to protection against inflammation and chronic disease,” says Brooklyn–based dietitian Maddie Pasquariello, MS, RDN. “First and foremost, it offers strong antioxidant activity—which protects the body from cellular damage by scavenging for free radicals—by way of chlorogenic acid and other polyphenols while also protecting against oxidative stress in the GI tract.” Second, coffee offers a solid dose of glorious caffeine, which keeps your brain alert, increases blood flow to the heart, and works to keep inflammation (a key driver of disease) at bay.
“Both the caffeine and chlorogenic acid content of coffee are also thought to help regulate metabolism and lower triglyceride levels,” Pasquariello continues. (She adds that chlorogenic acid in particular helps regulate the AMPK metabolic pathway, thus aiding cellular energy balance and potentially protecting against metabolic syndrome, especially in older adults.) In short, these compounds function as a dynamic duo to preserve a range of bodily functions and combat common diseases associated with aging.
While the researchers behind the review found that coffee has the potential to keep mortality and age-related manifestations of decline at bay, they admit that these benefits are far from guaranteed. “The authors acknowledge that it is very difficult to study coffee and caffeine intake in isolation in humans (like in a randomized controlled trial) and determine that coffee on its own makes a substantial or noticeable difference in the picture of someone’s overall health,” Pasquariello explains. Plus, study results can be skewed by any number of factors such as the type of coffee consumed, individual lifestyle considerations, biases from self-reporting, and beyond.
All of this is to say that coffee appears to play a *supporting* role in boosting longevity and healthspan, rather than being a one-and-done solution. “No singular food or beverage will ever be the thing that makes or breaks your health in isolation,” Pasquariello reminds us. “Healthy aging and an overall healthy lifestyle are built from hundreds of small habits and factors.”
Still, the main findings from this review spell out good news for java lovers. Consider your intake—up to three cups daily, as tolerated, for maximal benefits—to be one of many healthy habits worth sticking to.
Inspired to Amp Up Your Morning Coffee? Try Some of Well+Good’s Favorite Coffees
Our editors independently select these products. Making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission.
