Jan 02, 2026
3 min read
According to the latest research, coffee can increase longevity and reduce the risk of diabetes.The evidence tells us so.
- Recent studies have highlighted the potential health benefits of coffee, particularly its effects on longevity and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
- Research shows that consuming 3 to 4 cups of coffee per day can increase life expectancy and add 5 more years of life.
- Recent research also shows that 3 to 5 cups of coffee per day can reduce the risk of death and certain diseases.
- A third additional study suggests the health benefits of drinking coffee, especially for women as they age.
Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, with more than 2 billion cups of coffee consumed worldwide every day.
About two-thirds of American adults drink coffee every day.The average American coffee drinker drinks 3 cups of coffee per day.
Due to high levels of coffee consumption, research is ongoing to investigate the health effects of drinking coffee.Coffee consumption is not only a popular beverage, but it can also provide many health benefits, including reduced mortality and disease risk.
Healthy aging means physical, mental and social well-being throughout life.This usually involves focusing on preventative care and making healthy lifestyle choices, such as being mindful of your eating patterns.
Although more research is still needed, a growing body of evidence shows how coffee consumption can contribute to healthy aging.
At Medical News Today, we highlight three recent studies to provide insight into the role of coffee and how it may contribute to healthy aging.
Major psychiatric disorders, such as depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia, are associated with accelerated biological aging.This describes when the body's functional decline occurs faster than a person's chronological age.
Health professionals can measure this using phone numbers, and older people are at greater risk for age-related diseases, cognitive decline, and early death.
A study published in BMJ Mental Health in November 2025, indicates that consuming 3 to 4 cups of coffee a day can delay premature aging, which is usually associated with individuals living with major mental illnesses.
The study found that people aged 18-65 with a major mental illness were more likely to drink 3-4 cups of coffee a day.
It describes repetitive DNA sequences and protects the ends of chromosomes so that they do not become damaged.Telomere length shortens with age, making it a valuable cellular marker for measuring biological age.
The telomere length of these moderate coffee drinkers was comparable to that seen in people biologically 5 years younger.
In contrast, participants who did not consume coffee had shorter telomere lengths than those who drank the recommended number of cups each day.People who drink more than 4 cups of coffee a day do not have longer telomeres.
This effect may be due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in coffee that protect cells from the oxidative stress that drives telomere shortening.
Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, MNT, a registered dietitian specializing in heart disease, who was not involved in the study, explained to MNT:
"Coffee contains bioactive compounds, especially chlorogenic acid (CGA) and trigonelline, which act as antioxidants, neutralize free radicals, and activate cellular defense pathways to protect DNA from oxidative damage. CGA and trigonelline are likely to slow telomere shortening by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation."
However, it is important to note that this was a cross-sectional study using data from participants with psychiatric disorders in Norway.Therefore, the study relies on self-reported coffee consumption and cannot prove a causal relationship.
A review published in Nutrients in August 2025 also highlights the health benefits of moderate daily coffee consumption.
The researchers note that studies consistently link coffee consumption to reduced mortality and a lower risk of major chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, cognitive decline and respiratory disease in most people.
Interestingly, the analysis found that drinking 3-5 cups of coffee per day was associated with a reduced risk of death and a reduced risk of serious diseases.
The lowest overall mortality risk was observed at approximately 3.5 cups per day, and both regular and decaffeinated coffee showed this association.
Review author Farin Kamangar, MD, PhD, CRA, described the main components of the review to MNT.
"Decades of high-quality research on millions of people show that coffee has overall health benefits. Moderate coffee consumption (typically 3 to 5 cups per day) can extend life and reduce the risk of many major diseases, including heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, respiratory disease and cognitive decline."
The authors note that compounds in coffee, such as polyphenols, may help improve glucose metabolism, reduce chronic inflammation and oxidative stress, and improve metabolic health.
However, the evidence comes from observational studies, so they do not prove that coffee has health benefits.
While more research is needed, Kamankar suggested this could lead to changes in how doctors discuss coffee.
"The message for doctors is clear."For most adults, moderate coffee consumption can be safely encouraged as part of a healthy lifestyle," he told us.
"However, there may be some caveats," cautions Kamangar."Adding sugar and cream can reduce some of the protective effects of coffee, so it may be better to recommend black coffee or a slightly sweeter version. For better results, consult your doctor and consult your body."
Although the possible benefits of coffee can apply to most people, more research is needed to identify which population benefits the most or needs caution.
Research results shared at the Nutrition 2025 conference, and published in Current Advances in Nutrition, suggest that regular coffee consumption may contribute to healthy aging, especially in women.
The researchers used data from the Nurses' Health Study, which involved approximately 47,513 women who were followed for decades.For the analysis, the authors defined healthy aging as reaching later in life with no major chronic diseases, no physical disability, no cognitive or memory problems, intact mental health, and no functional limitations.
The findings suggest that higher caffeine intake, especially from regular caffeine with coffee, is associated with increased healthy aging.
Study author Sara Mahdavi, BA, MA, PhD, a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard T.H.Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University and an adjunct professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto, Canada, highlighted the following study results for MNT:
“We found that moderate intake of caffeinated coffee during midlife was modestly associated with healthy aging later in life. We defined healthy aging stringently: Not only surviving into older age, but doing so without major chronic disease, cognitive decline, physical disability, or poor mental health. Each additional cup of coffee was linked to about a 2% higher chance of healthy aging, while cola intake was associated with a 20% lower chance. The association appeared to be dose-responsive for coffee, though modest, and was not observed with decaf or tea, possibly due to lower intake and differences in bioactive content.”
However, the authors note that the findings come from observational data and this cohort is limited to predominantly white women.This means that the results cannot be generalized to other groups.
In addition, other details such as coffee type, additives, and changes in consumption over time have not been thoroughly analyzed.
Although the results of the study indicate the potential benefits of coffee, it is recommended to consult a doctor about how caffeine may interact with any medications or affect any underlying conditions.
Mehdavi offered this caveat: "Coffee is not universally beneficial. Caffeine metabolism varies greatly due to genetic and hormonal factors such as estrogen, which slows caffeine clearance."
"Our previous research has shown that women with a slower metabolism of caffeine (due to genetic variation in the CYP1A2 gene) do not benefit from a higher intake and may be more susceptible to adverse effects. Individualized nutrition - taking into account both gender and genetic differences - will be crucial in future recommendations," she told us.
