Can Coffee Help You Live Longer? Longevity Experts Weigh In

The useful part

Longevity Experts Weigh In | GQ Skip to main content Save this story Save this story There's no shortage of scientific research suggesting that drinking coffee can help you live a longer, healthier life. "For most people, it's the richest source of bioactive compounds, like antioxidants, polyphenols, and phytochemicals," says Dr. Andrew Odegaard, associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at UC Irvine Joe C.

How it works

• How much coffee do you actually need to drink in order to optimize your healthspan and potentially add years to your life?
• Caffeinated is a little better than decaf There's a ton of research linking regular caffeine consumption to a reduced risk of neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and Parkinson's...
• Research, including a 2012 paper published in the journal Food & Function, has found that melanoidins can help protect the body against oxidative stress, inflammation, hypertension, cellular damage, and...
• Coffee makers that use a paper filter, like a Chemex or drip coffee machine, are your best bet for filtering out diterpenes, while unfiltered options like an espresso maker or Bialetti should be used sparingly.
• (A French press falls somewhere in the middle, as it is technically filtered but not as thoroughly as other options.) That's not to say you have to swear off espresso, Abdullah says.

What to take from it

"It's not that as you increase it, you'll be getting more and more benefits." The most recent comprehensive research suggests that around two to three cups is the sweet spot, on average. Here's everything you need to know the next time you square up to the barista at your local cafe. It's also been associated with reduced cognitive decline, increased motor speed, and improved memory.

Example or evidence

• A study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine found that the longevity benefits of coffee consumption were consistent even among subjects who were unable to efficiently metabolize caffeine.
• Remember to cut yourself off As well-researched as the longevity benefits of coffee might be, they don't hold a mocha-scented candle to the power of sleep.
• More Great Wellness Stories From GQ 10 Ways to Build Muscle as Fast as Humanly Possible.
• "It is preferable to consume filtered coffee, as opposed to unfiltered coffee," says Abdullah, who notes that unfiltered coffee contains diterpenes, such as cafestol and kahweol—potent lipids that are known...

Details worth keeping

Multiple high-quality studies—including a landmark 2018 report that analyzed more than half a million people over the course of a decade—have found moderate coffee consumption to offer protective, lifespan-extending benefits for both brain and body. Do things like preparation, type, and timing factor in? For the answers to these questions and more, we consulted the experts.

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• Scientificamerican: Doctors used to warn coffee drinkers. Now research reassures them
• Inc: A 10-year study of 10,000 people found a possible tipping point for coffee, while tea was associated with slightly higher hip bone density.