Coffee is our best ally, especially for those who suffer from insomnia and have to wake up early the next day. A good cup of coffee in the morning can wake the dead, right?
But we’ve always heard that coffee is bad, high blood pressure, nerves… Here comes the counterattack because now the prestigious Harvard University has confirmed that coffee could be a great ally for healthy aging, recommending up to seven cups of coffee a day!
Coffee: the elixir of youth
The study was carried out by Sara Mahdavi, who has researched for decades women who regularly consume coffee, and discovered that they are more likely to maintain physical and mental health as they reach old age. But it’s not just any drink: tea, decaf coffee, or cola drinks don’t offer the same protective effect.
According to the data, each cup of coffee is associated with a 2% to 5% improvement in the likelihood of becoming a healthy older adult. The finding has reopened the debate on the positive effects of coffee: should we reconsider our morning routines?
The scientific support behind coffee
The first data goes back to 1984. 47,513 women participated and were followed for several decades. Of all of them, only 3,706 were classified as “healthy older adults”.
What does it mean to be a healthy older adult?
For Mahdavi’s team, aging healthily means more than just getting older. They evaluated factors such as:
- Being 70 years old or older
- Not suffering from 11 chronic diseases, like type 2 diabetes or cancer
- Maintaining stable physical function
- Enjoying good mental health
- Not having cognitive decline or memory issues
The women who met these criteria were mostly those who consumed coffee regularly.
How much coffee is healthy?
The study indicates that up to five small cups of coffee (or about 2.5 cups by today’s standards) can be beneficial. Moderate consumption showed a direct relationship with better long-term health, as long as it is combined with other factors like a balanced diet, physical activity, and avoiding tobacco. And yes, it has to be caffeinated coffee, no machine decaf, that’s useless!
Another point the authors of the study wanted to highlight is that genetics also play a role. Some people may experience negative effects with high levels of caffeine, depending on their tolerance and genetic predisposition, so be careful!
Why caffeinated coffee and not other drinks?
Caffeinated coffee showed positive effects that weren’t replicated with tea, decaf coffee, or soft drinks. In fact, the latter were associated with a higher chance of heart problems, so it’s your choice!
How do I start drinking coffee?
If you’ve never had coffee, you have to start drinking it gradually, maybe the first cup will make you really nervous! So here are some tips:
- Choose a mild, good-quality coffee. We recommend an arabica with medium roast.
- Avoid drinking it alone at first. Add milk or plant-based milk and make yourself a killer coffee latte!
- Don’t go overboard with the amount. Start by drinking one cup a day to see how your body tolerates the caffeine.
- Drink it in the morning or early afternoon, never after 6 p.m. (no counting sheep or melatonin, you won’t sleep!)
- Don’t replace meals with coffee.
- Don’t drink it in a rush, enjoy it. Find a cup you like and pair it with something you love. Let us know!
If you don’t like it at first, no worries, it’s normal. There are many types of coffee, many ways to prepare it, and also different ways to drink it. Now in summer, for example, we love having it with ice and a bit of cinnamon. Delicious!