The Case for Drinking More Coffee, According to Science

Brewed for Longevity: Coffee’s health profile gets revisited every few years, but the latest comprehensive review is a notably big one. It pulls together decades of evidence and lands on a familiar (and welcome) conclusion: a few cups a day may add years to your life.

The Study: Published in Nutrients, the review combined findings from over 100 large-scale epidemiological studies and meta-analyses, spanning different races, genders, geographies, and time periods. The pattern in the review consistently linked three to five cups of coffee per day to lower all-cause mortality and decreased risk of chronic disease, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, several cancers, and cognitive decline.

The Takeaway: Three to five cups of unsweetened coffee a day may lead to better long-term health.

Keep in Mind: All of this is observational research. Pouring on the cream and sugar can offset the benefits, and tolerance varies. Caffeine sensitivity, anxiety, sleep disruption, or pregnancy are all still valid reasons to cut back on your intake.