Your Daily Coffee May Be the Key to Longevity: A New Study on the Benefits for Women
Researchers found java helps protect your memory, mood and health
For many people, starting the day with coffee (and sometimes ending the day with it) is practically a no-brainer. While the rich, nutty flavor of a warm cup may be reason enough, newly-released research suggests there are important healthy aging benefits that make saying yes to your daily fix even smarter.
What the research shows about the benefits of coffee
On June 2, findings from a new study examining the link between coffee consumption and women’s health were presented at the American Society for Nutrition’s Nutrition 2025 meeting in Orlando, Florida.
The study followed more than 47,000 women beginning in 1984 to examine how caffeine affected their ability to age healthfully.
Woman's World Answers
While we all may have different ideas of what it means to remain healthy with age, in this study “healthy aging was defined as living to age 70 or older, being free from 11 major chronic diseases, maintaining physical function, having good mental health, exhibiting no cognitive impairment and showing no memory complaints.”
Researchers looked at caffeine intake not only from coffee, but also from tea and decaf coffee. However, among women ages 45 to 60, more than 80 percent of their caffeine intake came from regular coffee consumption.
Ultimately, the study found that women in midlife who drank coffee were more likely to achieve “healthy aging.” In fact, researchers found that for each extra cup of coffee per day women in the healthy aging group drank, they had a two to five percent higher chance of doing well later in life.
Unfortunately for those who don’t love the buzz of regular coffee, researchers did not find a connection between healthy aging and drinking tea or decaf coffee. (Learn what happens if you drink coffee every day here.)
How coffee promotes healthy aging
So, what exactly makes coffee so beneficial as we age? We asked an expert to explain.
“Coffee contains a variety of bioactive compounds, including caffeine, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, which may contribute to its health benefits,” says Case Tedder, MD, a board-certified family medicine physician at Orlando Health. “These compounds can improve metabolic health, reduce inflammation and protect against neurodegenerative diseases, potentially leading to healthier aging.”
How to maximize the health benefits of coffee
Even the healthiest foods and drinks have their limits, and there are smart ways to enjoy them. That goes for your morning java, too.
Joseph Mercola, DO, FACN, a board-Certified Family Physician and Author of Your Guide to Cellular Health, gave his recommendation on how to consume coffee while getting the most benefits.
“Use organic, shade-grown coffee to avoid pesticide residue and boost antioxidant intake,” says Dr. Mercola. “Skip the artificial creamers and sugary syrups—they undo the benefits fast. If you want a richer taste, add a dash of cinnamon or a splash of full-fat cream or whole milk from grass-fed cows.”
As for how much you need to drink to reap the healthy-aging rewards, Dr. Tedder has some insight.
“While individual tolerance can vary, moderate coffee consumption, typically defined as three to five cups per day, is often associated with health benefits,” says Dr. Tedder. As Dr. Mercola noted, “It’s best to consume coffee without excessive sugar or high-fat creamers to maximize its positive effects. Additionally, it’s important to consider personal health conditions [before increasing your coffee consumption] and consult with a healthcare provider for personalized advice.”
Conversation
All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Woman's World does not endorse the opinions and views shared by our readers in our comment sections. Our comments section is a place where readers can engage in healthy, productive, lively, and respectful discussions. Offensive language, hate speech, personal attacks, and/or defamatory statements are not permitted. Advertising or spam is also prohibited.
