Endocrinologist and metabolism specialist Dr. Tsai Ming-Chieh cited an authoritative study revealing that coffee’s benefits go far beyond keeping you awake — it may actually help extend your life. According to research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, regardless of how much coffee participants drank — even just a sip a day — a reduction in overall mortality, cancer-related deaths, and cardiovascular deaths was observed.
Dr. Tsai explained that the study tracked over 17,000 healthy participants for nearly 19 years. The data showed that coffee consumption follows a U-shaped curve in relation to mortality: drinking too little yields minimal benefit, while drinking too much lessens the positive effect. The optimal “sweet spot” for maximum health benefit lies between 2.5 to 4.5 cups per day, which was linked to the lowest death risk. However, once consumption exceeds 4.5 cups a day, the advantages start to decline.
Many people are concerned about adding sugar to their coffee, but recent studies show that moderately sweetened coffee can still offer protective benefits. The key is moderation — as long as the sugar content stays below 5 grams per cup and total intake doesn’t surpass 4.5 cups daily. Overdoing either sugar or coffee may increase mortality risk instead of lowering it.
Dr. Tsai emphasized that the real secret behind coffee’s health effects isn’t caffeine. Even decaffeinated coffee was linked to lower death rates. The real “hero,” he said, lies in coffee’s polyphenols, especially chlorogenic acids, which act as antioxidants and help prevent blood platelet aggregation.
However, Dr. Tsai also cautioned that lifestyle factors must be considered. The observed reduction in mortality could also be influenced by the fact that coffee drinkers often have healthier lifestyles or better socioeconomic conditions. More research is needed to clarify this relationship. He concluded by advising that while coffee can be part of a healthy routine, people should focus on maintaining balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and a relaxed mindset — with moderate coffee consumption serving as a delightful complement to a healthy life.
