Coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages, consumed by millions of people every day. The good news is that coffee consumption has been linked to a longer lifespan and a lower risk of many diseases.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that people who drank coffee every day had a lower risk of dying from any cause than non-coffee drinkers.

The Study

The study followed more than 500,000 people from 10 European countries over the course of 16 years. Participants in the study were asked to fill out a survey about their dietary habits, including how much coffee they drank each day.

Researchers then looked at the association between coffee consumption and risk of death from any cause, as well as deaths from specific causes such as cardiovascular disease and cancer.

The results of the study were striking: people who drank at least one cup of coffee per day had a 12 percent lower risk of death from any cause than those who didn’t drink coffee.

The effect was even more pronounced for people who drank two to three cups per day, who had an 18 percent lower risk of death. The study also found that coffee drinkers had a lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease, neurological disease, and suicide.

The Benefits of Coffee

The link between coffee consumption and a longer lifespan may be due to the many health benefits of the beverage. Coffee is high in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation and protect against diseases such as cancer and heart disease.

Coffee may also help improve heart health in other ways. A study published in the journal Circulation found that drinking three to five cups of coffee per day was associated with a lower risk of developing atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries.

The study found that coffee reduced the risk of atherosclerosis by 25 percent, potentially due to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of coffee.

Coffee consumption has also been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.

A meta-analysis of 30 studies published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine found that people who drank coffee regularly had a 35 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who didn’t drink coffee.

Caffeine and Heart Health

One of the concerns about coffee consumption has been the role of caffeine in heart health. Caffeine is a stimulant that can raise blood pressure and heart rate, which can be concerning for people with existing heart conditions.

However, studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption is safe for most people, even those with heart conditions.

A study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine found that moderate coffee consumption (defined as three to five cups per day) was not associated with an increased risk of heart disease in either men or women. The study did find that heavy coffee consumption (more than five cups per day) was associated with a slight increase in the risk of heart disease, but the risk was still relatively small.

Overall, it appears that moderate coffee consumption can be a part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. However, it’s important to remember that coffee contains caffeine, which can affect different people in different ways.

People who are sensitive to caffeine or have certain medical conditions, such as anxiety or heart conditions, may want to limit their coffee consumption or switch to decaf.

The Bottom Line

Overall, the evidence suggests that moderate coffee consumption can be beneficial for health and may even contribute to a longer lifespan.

Coffee is high in antioxidants, which can help protect against a variety of diseases, including heart disease and cancer. Coffee may also help improve heart health by reducing the risk of atherosclerosis and preventing type 2 diabetes.

While coffee consumption is generally safe for most people, it’s important to remember that caffeine can have side effects and may not be suitable for everyone.

People with certain medical conditions or who are sensitive to caffeine should talk to their healthcare provider about whether or how much coffee they can safely consume.