A new study from Harvard University suggests that drinking coffee regularly may help women maintain both physical and mental health as they age. The research followed nearly 50,000 women over a 30-year period, as part of the Nurses’ Health Study.
The study, published by the American Society of Nutrition, found that middle-aged women who consumed caffeinated coffee were more likely to stay mentally sharp and physically strong in later life. The benefits were not seen in women who drank decaffeinated coffee or tea.
Sara Mahdavi, Ph.D., a researcher at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, explained that “healthy aging” in the study referred to living into old age without chronic diseases and maintaining good cognitive, physical, and mental health.
The study also accounted for other lifestyle factors like diet, exercise, and smoking, which are known to affect aging. However, coffee consumption still stood out as a significant factor.
On average, women in the study who were classified as “healthy agers” consumed about 315 mg of caffeine daily, mostly from coffee. For every additional cup of coffee consumed, the chances of aging healthily increased by 2% to 5%.
In contrast, regular consumption of soda, which also contains caffeine, was associated with a 20% to 26% reduced likelihood of healthy aging.
While caffeine is a common factor in both coffee and soda, the study emphasized that coffee’s unique combination of bioactive compounds might play a key role. “We did not see the same results with decaf coffee, tea, or caffeinated soda,” Mahdavi noted.
The findings were set to be presented at NUTRITION 2025, the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting in Orlando. Mahdavi emphasized that this is the first study to examine coffee’s effects on multiple aspects of aging over a span of 30 years.
However, Mahdavi acknowledged the study’s limitations, including its observational nature, which means it cannot prove causality. The participants were primarily white, educated women in healthcare professions, which may limit the study’s applicability to other populations.
The research team plans to investigate further how coffee’s antioxidants and polyphenols may influence aging at the molecular level, particularly in relation to inflammation, metabolism, and heart health. Mahdavi also pointed out that genetics and hormones could affect how individuals respond to coffee.
While moderate coffee consumption may offer health benefits, Mahdavi stressed that overall healthy lifestyle choices, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and not smoking, remain the most significant contributors to healthy aging.
“For those who already drink coffee, typically two to four cups per day, this study adds to the evidence that coffee can be part of a healthy lifestyle,” she said. However, she warned against starting coffee for health reasons if you don’t already drink it, or if you are sensitive to caffeine.
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