Black Coffee Linked to Lower Death Risk—But Skip the Sugar and Cream

A study from Tufts University’s Friedman School found that drinking 1–3 cups of caffeinated coffee daily may reduce the risk of death, especially from heart disease. However, the benefits drop when the coffee is loaded with sugar or high-fat creamers.

Using data from over 46,000 U.S. adults (1999–2018), researchers saw a 16–17% lower risk of all-cause mortality among moderate coffee drinkers—provided their cups were low in added sugar (under 2.5g) and saturated fat (under 1g).

No added benefit was observed beyond three cups, and no link was found with cancer-related deaths or with decaf coffee, likely due to low consumption.

The study relied on self-reported diet data and was funded by the National Institutes of Health. Findings highlight the potential longevity benefits of plain black coffee without sweeteners or heavy cream.

22-06-2025