---

Coffee lovers can cheer up as a new scientific study has linked the beverage consumption to lower risk of mortality. But there may be a catch as milk and sugar can reduce the benefits.

A new study by the researchers from Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University in Boston found that the consumption of 1-2 cups of caffeinated coffee per day was linked to a lower risk of death from all causes and death from cardiovascular disease.

Black coffee and coffee with low levels of added sugar and saturated fat were associated with a 14 per cent lower risk for all-cause mortality compared to no coffee consumption. However, the link was not observed for coffee with high amounts of added sugar and saturated fat.

 "The health benefits of coffee might be attributable to its bioactive compounds, but our results suggest that the addition of sugar and saturated fat may reduce the mortality benefits." Fang Fang Zhang, senior author of the study and the Neely Family Professor at the Friedman School.

The study published in The Journal of Nutrition analysed data from nine consecutive cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018, linked to National Death Index Mortality Data. The study included a nationally representative sample of 46,000 adults aged 20 years and older who completed valid first-day 24-hour dietary recalls.

Coffee consumption was categorized by type (caffeinated or decaffeinated), sugar, and saturated fat content. Mortality outcomes included all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Low added sugar (from granulated sugar, honey, and syrup) was defined as under 5% of the Daily Value, which is 2.5 grams per 8-ounce cup or approximately half a teaspoon of sugar. Low saturated fat (from milk, cream, and half-and-half) was defined as 5% of the Daily Value, or 1 gram per 8-ounce cup or the equivalent of 5 tablespoons of 2% milk, 1 tablespoon of light cream, or 1 tablespoon of half-and-half.

In the study, consumption of at least one cup per day was associated with a 16% lower risk of all-cause mortality. At 2-3 cups per day, the link rose to 17%. Consumption beyond three cups per day was not associated with additional reductions, and the link between coffee and a lower risk of death by cardiovascular disease weakened when coffee consumption was more than three cups per day. No significant associations were seen between coffee consumption and cancer mortality. 

---

Related Articles

Goodness of water and the importance of staying hydrated!!

What to eat at night to stay fit?

Benefits of Bell Pepper

List of foods for regular use as recommended by Ayurveda

Pomegranate fights prostate cancer

No Biscuits, Cookies, Only “Healthy” Snacks For Meets: Health Ministry