What is the latest research on coffee and health?

January 7, 2026 •

3 min read

With billions of cups consumed daily worldwide, coffee has been the subject of extensive scientific scrutiny for decades. A wave of recent research, particularly in 2025, has clarified and expanded our understanding of this complex beverage, revealing new insights into its effects on everything from longevity to cognitive function and specific disease risks.

Quick Summary

Recent studies, including those from 2025, reinforce the benefits of moderate coffee consumption (3-5 cups daily) for reducing chronic disease risks and improving longevity. New findings highlight the importance of timing consumption to the morning and emphasize how brewing method and additives affect health impacts. Certain high-risk groups, like pregnant individuals, should exercise caution with caffeine.

Key Points

Moderate intake is key: The optimal range for health benefits, including longevity and cardiovascular protection, remains 3-5 cups per day.
Timing is important: Drinking coffee in the morning may offer greater cardiovascular and longevity benefits compared to consumption throughout the day.
Caffeine affects cognitive function: Latest research reinforces that caffeine intake is associated with better cognitive performance and reduced risk of dementia in older adults.
Unfiltered coffee raises cholesterol: Brewing methods like French press, which don't use a paper filter, can increase LDL cholesterol levels due to diterpenes.
Mind your additives: Loading coffee with sugar and saturated fat can negate its health benefits, according to multiple studies.
Higher intake risks: New 2025 research suggests higher consumption might be linked to increased risk of multiple myeloma and greater psychological distress in some individuals.
Coffee and healthy aging: A major 2025 study found moderate midlife coffee intake was associated with a higher likelihood of healthy aging in women over several decades.

The Expanding Picture of Coffee's Health Benefits

Decades of observational studies have consistently linked moderate coffee consumption with a lower risk of all-cause mortality and several chronic diseases. The latest research continues to strengthen these associations, while also identifying more specific nuances.

New Findings on Longevity and Healthy Aging

Fresh research from 2025 provides compelling evidence for coffee's role in promoting a longer, healthier life. A Harvard study presented in June 2025 indicated that moderate caffeinated coffee consumption in middle-aged women was associated with a higher probability of 'healthy aging' decades later.

The Importance of Consumption Timing

A February 2025 study in the European Society of Cardiology suggested that the time of day coffee is consumed might be significant. For more information, see {Link: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Nutrition Source https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/food-features/coffee/}.

Impact on Cognitive and Neurodegenerative Health

Recent studies reinforce coffee's potential to protect cognitive health. See {Link: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Nutrition Source https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/food-features/coffee/} for details.

Other Benefits Confirmed by Research

Additional confirmed benefits are outlined in {Link: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Nutrition Source https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/food-features/coffee/}.

Important Considerations and Potential Risks

While moderate coffee benefits are widely supported, certain factors and potential risks need consideration.

The Brewing Method Matters

The method of brewing coffee significantly impacts its health effects, especially for cardiovascular health.


Feature	Filtered Coffee	Unfiltered Coffee (French Press, Turkish)
Preparation	Uses a paper filter that removes oils.	Allows coffee oils to pass through to the final beverage.
Cholesterol Impact	Negligible effect on serum cholesterol levels.	Can raise total and LDL cholesterol due to diterpenes.
Cardiovascular Risk	Generally considered protective against heart disease.	Can be more atherogenic due to cholesterol-raising compounds.
Bioactive Compounds	Lower levels of diterpenes. Rich in antioxidant polyphenols and chlorogenic acids.	Higher levels of diterpenes, along with antioxidants and polyphenols.

Watch the Additives

The health benefits of plain coffee can be diminished by adding excessive sugar, syrups, and saturated fats from cream. More details can be found at {Link: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Nutrition Source https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/food-features/coffee/}.

Mental Health and Sleep

While moderate coffee may be linked to a lower risk of depression, recent 2025 research indicates potential issues for sensitive individuals or at high doses. Further information is available at {Link: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Nutrition Source https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/food-features/coffee/}.

Other Potential Concerns

Potential concerns, such as a possible link between high consumption and multiple myeloma, are discussed at {Link: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Nutrition Source https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/food-features/coffee/}.

Conclusion

The latest research on coffee and health presents a largely positive, but nuanced, picture. Moderate consumption (3-5 cups per day) is consistently linked to benefits for longevity, cardiovascular health, and disease prevention. However, individual factors, brewing methods, and additives are important. New 2025 findings emphasize the timing of consumption, with morning intake showing greater benefits, while also noting potential risks for sensitive individuals and conditions like multiple myeloma. For most adults, moderate coffee consumption, especially black, can be part of a healthy lifestyle.

For more detailed information, consult resources like the {Link: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Nutrition Source https://nutritionsource.hsph.harvard.edu/food-features/coffee/}.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a 2025 study found that limiting coffee intake to the morning hours (4 a.m. to noon) was associated with lower all-cause and cardiovascular mortality risks compared to both non-drinkers and those who drink coffee all day.

Filtered coffee is generally considered healthier for cardiovascular health. Unfiltered coffee methods, like French press or Turkish coffee, allow diterpenes (cafestol and kahweol) to pass through, which can raise LDL cholesterol levels.

Most recent research suggests that a moderate intake of 3 to 5 cups per day is associated with the most health benefits, including lower risks of mortality and various chronic diseases.

Yes, excessive sugar and saturated fat can counteract the potential health benefits of coffee. The most recent studies indicate that benefits are most pronounced with black coffee or coffee with minimal, low-calorie additives.

Current large-scale data indicates that coffee drinking is not associated with an increased risk of cancer and may even be linked to reduced risks for certain types, such as liver and uterine cancers. However, a recent 2025 study suggested a possible link between high consumption and multiple myeloma.

Several studies from 2025 have shown that moderate coffee and caffeine intake can improve cognitive performance, particularly in older adults. It is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.

Certain groups should be cautious, including pregnant women (limit to <200mg caffeine/day), individuals with a history of anxiety or sleep disorders, those with uncontrolled blood pressure, and anyone with specific genetic sensitivities to caffeine.