Many people wish to live long and healthy lives. But since the fountain of youth has yet to be found, certain dietary and lifestyle choices can help keep your ticker ticking and your body working for a long time.
Some things you can do to encourage a longer life include avoiding smoking, participating in physical activity, and eating more produce. Less well-known is that sipping on your beloved morning brew may also help you live longer, which is excellent news for java lovers everywhere.
While it’s important to maintain a well-balanced diet and lifestyle to age healthily, coffee can offer significant perks when consumed in moderation. Read on to discover how coffee can improve your health and help you live longer.
1. May Help You Manage a Healthy Weight
Research has shown that excessive weight can increase your risk of early death. Along with exercising, eating a balanced diet and prioritizing sleep, including caffeine in your diet, may help manage your weight.
According to results from a meta-analysis, caffeine intake may help promote reductions in body fat and weight, supporting a healthy weight and, ultimately, your overall health.
Additionally, coffee contains magnesium and potassium, two nutrients that support your metabolism, potentially making weight management easier.
2. May Support Your Heart Health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. Some research has shown that drinking 3 to 5 cups of coffee per day may reduce the risk of this potentially devastating disease by 15% among healthy people. However, adding lots of sugar and cream to coffee may work against your heart health goals. Your best bet for supporting heart health is drinking it black.
One review found that moderate coffee consumption (3 to 4 cups daily) can help lower your risk of heart disease by improving blood flow, reducing blood pressure and combating inflammation.
3. May Reduce Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
Diabetes was the cause of 1.6 million deaths globally in 2021. As such, finding ways to prevent the development of this disease may help people promote living a long life.
Data has shown that drinking coffee is linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes. This may be due to its fat-burning, thermogenic, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Also, some studies have found that coffee may improve the microbiome diversity in your gut, which can positively affect type 2 diabetes risk. And the potassium in coffee can help regulate blood sugar levels by improving insulin sensitivity and supporting overall metabolic function.
4. May Help Protect You From Certain Types of Cancer
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the U.S., and developing it can be caused by several factors, including some that are entirely out of your control (like your family history). But among many dietary and lifestyle interventions you can take that may decrease your risk of developing cancer, drinking coffee may be one of them.
Research has shown that drinking coffee may reduce the risk of certain cancers, including liver and endometrial. While drinking coffee won’t guarantee you will live your life cancer-free, it may reduce your risk of developing this condition. The antioxidants in coffee may also protect against cell damage that contributes to cancer development.
5. May Improve Your Cognitive Function and Mood
Science has suggested that caffeine can help improve cognitive function and may help protect against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and dementia by reducing oxidative stress. Older research suggests that drinking coffee stimulates the central nervous system, which can elevate mood and enhance mental clarity while lowering depression risk.
The Bottom Line
Who doesn’t want to live a long and healthy life? While there is no guarantee, there are some things you can do that may help keep that inevitable occurrence from happening too soon. And if you are a coffee lover, rejoice in knowing that sipping on your favorite afternoon pick-me-up or your must-have perfect morning brew may be just the ticket to helping you live a longer life.
