Most of us probably reach for a morning cup of coffee to wake up and feel energized, but could your coffee habit also help you age better?
A new large-scale study suggests exactly that, particularly for women who enjoy caffeinated coffee regularly in their middle years.
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Not All Caffeine Is Created Equal
Researchers tracked nearly 50,000 women over three decades, looking carefully at their dietary habits and overall health as they aged. Surprisingly, the benefits were uniquely connected to caffeinated coffee. Unlike tea or decaffeinated coffee, women who regularly drank caffeinated coffee were more likely to enjoy better physical and mental health later in life. On the other hand, women who frequently drank soda were far less likely to age healthily, hinting that not all caffeine sources offer equal benefits.
How Much Coffee Makes a Difference?
According to the study, even moderate coffee consumption can positively affect aging. Women considered "healthy agers" typically drank about 2 to 3 cups of coffee daily, roughly 315 mg of caffeine. Each additional cup per day was associated with up to a 5% greater chance of maintaining good health into later life, but benefits appeared to plateau after around 2.5 cups daily.
Related article: How much coffee is considered too much? - (Universal-Sci)
Why Coffee and Not Tea or Soda?
The researchers believe that caffeinated coffee might contain specific beneficial compounds beyond caffeine itself. Unlike coffee, soda consumption was strongly linked to poorer aging outcomes, perhaps due to high sugar content and other additives. Tea and decaf coffee, despite their popularity and other known health benefits, didn't show the same strong correlation with healthy aging as caffeinated coffee.
Dr. Sara Mahdavi, a nutrition researcher affiliated with Harvard University and the University of Toronto, emphasized that while the findings are promising, they highlight the importance of moderation and overall lifestyle. "Small, consistent habits can shape long-term health," Dr. Mahdavi noted, suggesting that coffee’s benefits are best enjoyed alongside regular exercise, a balanced diet, and a smoke-free lifestyle.
As scientists dig deeper, they aim to explore precisely why coffee seems uniquely beneficial for aging. Until then, enjoying your daily cup—or two—might just be a tasty step toward a healthier future.
Sources and further reading:
Nutrition 2025
How much coffee is considered too much? - (Universal-Sci) -
How to make the perfect cup of coffee – with a little help from science - (Universal-Sci)
Why you like coffee, and I choose tea – it’s in the genes - (Universal-Sci)
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