Drink black coffee daily? You can live longer with it, says study
A cup of black coffee every morning may just be adding years to your life. A large-scale study by Tufts University, US, claims that drinking one to three cups of coffee daily can reduce all-cause mortality, particularly from cardiovascular causes. However, there's a catch: the benefits hold only when you are not adding sugar, flavourings or cream.
The study, which tracked subjects 1999 onwards, found that black coffee and coffee with very low levels of added sugar and saturated fat were associated with a 14 per cent lower risk of all-cause mortality as compared to zero coffee consumption. The same link was not observed for coffee with high amounts of added sugar and saturated fat. Drinking one cup per day was associated with a 16% lower risk of all-cause mortality. At 2-3 cups per day, the risk lowered by 17%.
Consumption beyond three cups per day was not associated with additional reductions. In fact, the link between coffee and a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease weakened in those who drank more than three cups per day.
Why is the study significant?
Research on the benefits of caffeine, such as improved attention, appetite suppression, alertness and physical performance have been many. But this is the first which specifies the type of coffee — black — to be had and by how much. Since a typical cup of coffee (240 ml) provides approximately 100 mg caffeine, drinking up to two cups are safe.
This is also in line with an earlier study which found that individuals who drink coffee and sit for over six hours daily have lower mortality rates than non-coffee drinkers who sit for similar periods.
What's the big problem with coffee studies?
Dr V Mohan, Chairman, Dr Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre, Chennai, feels the problem with studies on coffee drinking is that none tell you that the results depend on several variables, like the kind of coffee taken, its amount and how it is consumed. 'For example, in the West, they have their coffee black but in India, it is made with milk and sugar. The role of artificial sweeteners is still not ascertained. A few human studies suggest they are safe but animal studies have linked them to obesity, an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes and changes in gut microbiota of mice,' he says.
Then there are many kinds of coffee, dilute, concentrated, Arabic, decaffeinated, caffeinated, all of which have different effects. 'In India, we also have coffee with different foods. In such a scenario, how do you tease out the effects of coffee?' he asks.
Is black coffee good for diabetes?
Only in moderation. One or two cups a day usually don't cause problems. 'But having five or six cups can backfire, especially when you're not sleeping enough. High caffeine intake increases adrenaline and cortisol levels, just like lack of sleep does. Together, they create a double impact on your glucose control. So, caffeine indirectly raises your blood sugar, too. Plus, excessive caffeine can lead to poor sleep quality — even if you do manage to get to bed on time. It becomes a cycle: less sleep, more coffee, more stress hormones, and higher blood sugar,' says Dr Mohan.
The ideal combination
Try reducing your caffeine to two cups a day — preferably before 2 pm. 'Then monitor your blood sugar. You'll likely see improvement within a week or two,' says Dr Mohan.
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Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Drink black coffee daily? You can live longer with it, says study
A cup of black coffee every morning may just be adding years to your life. A large-scale study by Tufts University, US, claims that drinking one to three cups of coffee daily can reduce all-cause mortality, particularly from cardiovascular causes. However, there's a catch: the benefits hold only when you are not adding sugar, flavourings or cream. The study, which tracked subjects 1999 onwards, found that black coffee and coffee with very low levels of added sugar and saturated fat were associated with a 14 per cent lower risk of all-cause mortality as compared to zero coffee consumption. The same link was not observed for coffee with high amounts of added sugar and saturated fat. Drinking one cup per day was associated with a 16% lower risk of all-cause mortality. At 2-3 cups per day, the risk lowered by 17%. Consumption beyond three cups per day was not associated with additional reductions. In fact, the link between coffee and a lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease weakened in those who drank more than three cups per day. Why is the study significant? Research on the benefits of caffeine, such as improved attention, appetite suppression, alertness and physical performance have been many. But this is the first which specifies the type of coffee — black — to be had and by how much. Since a typical cup of coffee (240 ml) provides approximately 100 mg caffeine, drinking up to two cups are safe. This is also in line with an earlier study which found that individuals who drink coffee and sit for over six hours daily have lower mortality rates than non-coffee drinkers who sit for similar periods. What's the big problem with coffee studies? Dr V Mohan, Chairman, Dr Mohan's Diabetes Specialities Centre, Chennai, feels the problem with studies on coffee drinking is that none tell you that the results depend on several variables, like the kind of coffee taken, its amount and how it is consumed. 'For example, in the West, they have their coffee black but in India, it is made with milk and sugar. The role of artificial sweeteners is still not ascertained. A few human studies suggest they are safe but animal studies have linked them to obesity, an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes and changes in gut microbiota of mice,' he says. Then there are many kinds of coffee, dilute, concentrated, Arabic, decaffeinated, caffeinated, all of which have different effects. 'In India, we also have coffee with different foods. In such a scenario, how do you tease out the effects of coffee?' he asks. Is black coffee good for diabetes? Only in moderation. One or two cups a day usually don't cause problems. 'But having five or six cups can backfire, especially when you're not sleeping enough. High caffeine intake increases adrenaline and cortisol levels, just like lack of sleep does. Together, they create a double impact on your glucose control. So, caffeine indirectly raises your blood sugar, too. Plus, excessive caffeine can lead to poor sleep quality — even if you do manage to get to bed on time. It becomes a cycle: less sleep, more coffee, more stress hormones, and higher blood sugar,' says Dr Mohan. The ideal combination Try reducing your caffeine to two cups a day — preferably before 2 pm. 'Then monitor your blood sugar. You'll likely see improvement within a week or two,' says Dr Mohan.
India.com
2 days ago
- India.com
Drink Black Coffee Daily? Science Says It May Help You Live Longer, But DONT Add This
If you're a fan of black coffee, here's some news that might make your next sip even more satisfying, your morning habit could actually help you live longer. According to a recent observational study published in The Journal of Nutrition, drinking black coffee in moderation is associated with a lower risk of death from all causes, especially heart-related issues. Coffee with a Catch: Not All Cups Are Created Equal Researchers at Tufts University found that the potential health benefits of coffee depend heavily on how it's prepared — particularly how much sugar and saturated fat is added. In short: plain black coffee? Good. Coffee loaded with sugar, cream, or flavored syrups? Not so much. The Sweet Truth: Less Sugar, More Life The study revealed that drinking 1–2 cups of caffeinated black coffee daily was linked to a 14% lower risk of death from any cause compared to those who didn't drink coffee at all. This benefit was strongest when the coffee was consumed with little to no sugar or saturated fat. Senior study author Dr Fang Fang Zhang emphasised that coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world, and with nearly half of American adults drinking at least one cup per day, understanding its health effects is critical. According to Zhang, coffee contains powerful bioactive compounds, but those benefits can be reduced if the cup is filled with cream and sugar. While 2-3 cups of coffee a day were linked to a 17% reduced risk of death from any cause, the benefits plateaued after that. Drinking more than three cups didn't show additional advantages and even seemed to weaken the connection with reduced cardiovascular mortality. Coffee and Heart Health Interestingly, the most significant benefits of black coffee were seen in terms of cardiovascular health. Drinking black coffee regularly may help reduce the risk of dying from heart-related conditions, making it not just a wake-up ritual but potentially a heart-smart choice too. No Link to Cancer Mortality One surprising finding: there was no significant association between coffee consumption and a reduced risk of cancer-related deaths. This highlights that while coffee may support heart health and overall longevity, it isn't a magic shield against all diseases. What This Means for You If you're looking to make your morning cup healthier, consider these quick tips: 1. Stick to black or lightly sweetened coffee. 2. Avoid artificial creamers and sugar-loaded syrups. 3. Opt for plant-based milks if needed, with no added sugar. A moderate amount of black coffee (1–3 cups daily) could play a small but meaningful role in boosting your longevity, especially when enjoyed without sugar or heavy fats. So the next time you brew a plain cup of joe, remember: it's not just your morning pick-me-up, it might be your heart's best friend. (This article is meant for informational purposes only and must not be considered a substitute for advice provided by qualified medical professionals.)
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
One-two cups of black coffee daily could lower risk of death by 14%: Study
New Delhi: Drinking a cup or two of black coffee daily could lower risk of death by 14 per cent, but adding milk or sugar could diminish the benefits, according to a new study. The same link was not observed for coffee with high amounts of added sugar and saturated fat, researchers said. "The health benefits of coffee might be attributable to its bioactive compounds, but our results suggest that the addition of sugar and saturated fat may reduce the mortality benefits," Fang Fang Zhang, from Tufts University in the US, and senior author of the study published in The Journal of Nutrition, said. Data nine consecutive cycles of the US' National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018, linked to national death data, was analysed. Responses of more than 46,000 adults aged 20 years and above who completed first-day 24-hour dietary questionnaires were looked at. Coffee consumption was categorised by type -- caffeinated or decaffeinated -- sugar, and saturated fat content, and outcomes of death studied included those from any cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. "Few studies have examined how coffee additives could impact the link between coffee consumption and mortality risk, and our study is among the first to quantify how much sweetener and saturated fat are being added," first author Bingjie Zhou, a PhD graduate from Tufts University, said. The authors wrote, "Consuming black coffee and coffee with low levels of added sugar and saturated fat was associated with a 14 per cent lower risk of all-cause mortality, compared with no coffee consumption." Consuming two to three cups a day could lower the risk of death due to any cause by 17 per cent, whereas taking more than three cups daily was not associated with additional reductions, the researchers said. Further, the link between coffee and a lower risk of death by cardiovascular disease weakened when more than three cups of coffee were taken a day, they added.>
