overall risk of death, as well as their risk of death from cancer or heart disease.
Researchers found that unsweetened coffee reduced participants’ risk of death regardless of how much they drank, with a “sweet spot” of maximum benefit around 2.5 to 3.5 cups a day.
Sweetened coffee also had health benefits, as long as the person drank fewer than 4 cups a day. Folks who drank more than 4.5 cups of sugary coffee a day had a slight increase in their risk of early death.
Sweetened or unsweetened, coffee also appeared to consistently reduce the risk of death from specific causes such as cancer or heart disease, the researchers found.
READ: Lime Water Recipe: Making a New Type of Coffee
There are lots of theories about why coffee might be good for you, according to experts.
“Coffee contains nearly 1,000 botanical compounds, most of which have not been studied yet,” DiMarino shares. “Coffee does provide nutrients such as B vitamins, potassium and riboflavin, which are essential to health. Moreover, coffee provides different anti-inflammatory compounds, which help reduce our risk of cancer.”
Finally, he adds, coffee has been shown to improve alertness, memory, and mental function. “These effects would certainly help us be more aware and make less mistakes,” DiMarino adds.
Wee notes that coffee also contains chlorogenic acids, which have an anti-clotting effect in the blood. That could potentially prevent heart attacks or strokes caused by clots.
Whatsmore, coffee protects against liver cirrhosis in people at risk of developing liver disease, such as those with alcohol use disorder or fatty liver disease.
Other research teams are looking at ways in which coffee might help people by improving gut health, enhancing efficient fat storage, and protecting the liver, says Dr. Alan Rozanski, a cardiologist with Mount Sinai Morningside in New York City.
Coffee may also be a pick-me-up. Several studies have found that the more coffee a person drinks,