Overview

• The Nurses’ Health Study followed 47,513 women from 1984 to 2016 and identified 3,706 participants as healthy agers based on disease-free survival, physical function and mental sharpness.
• Each additional small cup of caffeinated coffee in midlife was associated with a 2%–5% higher chance of healthy aging, up to five cups per day.
• No significant healthy aging benefit was observed for tea or decaffeinated coffee, while each extra serving of cola corresponded to a 20%–26% lower likelihood.
• Investigators controlled for body weight, smoking, alcohol use, exercise, education and dietary protein to isolate the effect of caffeinated coffee.
• Researchers note that coffee’s protective impact is modest compared to overall lifestyle habits and that genetic variations can influence individual responses to caffeine.