Independent research by scientists worldwide continues to link both regular and decaffeinated coffee to significant (and surprising) healthful properties.
Spilling the Beans: Get the Latest FDA Guidance on Caffeine Consumption
Due to overwhelming scientific evidence, coffee has earned a new – and improved – reputation. The latest U.S. Dietary Guidelines recently made an unprecedented recommendation for coffee as part of a healthy lifestyle.
The NCA is working with a team of scientific experts to compile a comprehensive overview of the research on coffee and health (and there’s a lot).
In the meantime, we’re highlighting key findings on health issues with the strongest associations to coffee consumption. These include:
- Cancer
- Longevity
- Cardiovascular disease
- Liver health
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Kidney disease
Here’s what the science is saying about coffee and health:
Coffee & Cancer
SCIENCE: A meta analysis of human prospective studies showed that drinking both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee was associated with reduced risk of liver cancer.
SCIENCE: Coffee consumption may offer protective benefits for post-menopausal breast cancer. Consumption of four cups per day was associated with a 10% reduction in postmenopausal cancer risk.
SCIENCE: Coffee drinking is associated with a lower risk of colon cancer in women. A study showed that there was a 20% reduced risk of colon cancer in women who drank more htan 3 cups of coffee day, compared to those who drank less than one or less.
SCIENCE: Drinking coffee may prevent recurrence of liver cancer in adults
Coffee & Longevity
SCIENCE: In a review of 21 prospective studies totaling over 10 million participants, drinking one cup of coffee (whether decaf or with caffeine) per day was associated with a 3% reduced risk of death, and drinking 3 cups of coffee was associated with a 13% reduced risk of death.
SCIENCE: A study from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) looked at over 500,000 people, and found that drinking coffee, whether decaf or with caffeine, was associated with reduced risk for death from various causes.
SCIENCE: A study of over 500,000 people, spanning a decade, found that drinking coffee, whether caffeinated or decafeinated, was inversely associated with mortality, including among those drinking 8 or more cups per day.
SCIENCE: In a large study looking at over 400,000 people, coffee consumption was associated with lower likelyhood of death from disease.
Coffee & Diabetes
SCIENCE: Studies show that coffee drinkers are at a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 90-95% of diabetes cases in the world. They also show that people who drink four or more cups of coffee daily have a 50% lower risk of Type 2 diabetes.
SCIENCE: Cafestol, a compound found in coffee, could help to stave off type 2 diabetes. The compound has been found to increase insulin secretion, reduce fasting glucose levels and improve insulin sensitivity in mice.
Coffee & Stroke
SCIENCE: The results of a survey looking at over 83,000 women over many years showed that coffee consumption may modestly reduce the risk of stroke among women.
SCIENCE: A study from the International Agency for Research on Cancer looked at over 500,000 people, and found that coffee drinking was associated with reduced risk for death from various causes, including stroke.
SCIENCE: A large-scale study in Japan found that higher green tea and coffee consumption was inversely associated with risk of CVD and stroke in the general population.
Coffee & Kidney Health
SCIENCE: Coffee consumption is associated with reduced risk of chronic kidney disease.
The Caffeine Buzz
Many of these potential benefits are associated with caffeine, a naturally occurring stimulant found in coffee beans. The amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee can vary, depending on factors ranging from the type of bean to how it’s brewed.
Caffeinated coffee affects individuals differently, based on heredity, body weight, gender, metabolism (there are “fast caffeine metabolizers” versus slow ones), and coffee drinking habits.
While coffee has come to be closely associated with caffeine, today consumers can choose from a variety of caffeinated and decaffeinated options.
Learn more: The Challenges of Measuring Caffeine Levels
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[…] Many of us love the pick-me-up coffee offers. This comes from caffeine, a stimulant that increases alertness, helps us focus and makes us feel less tired. Though coffee offers quite a few health benefits, you may want to pay attention to your caffeine intake. Health experts recommend limiting your daily caffeine to 300-400 milligrams. […]