If you're one of those women who love having coffee in the morning (whether it's one cup, two, or even three), then science has some good news for you. A new study from Harvard University, which lasted over 30 years and included more than 47,000 women, suggests that drinking coffee in moderation could help women age in better health.
The study found that women who drank around three cups of coffee a day (about 315 mg of caffeine) had a 13% higher chance of staying healthy as they aged. “Good health” here means maintaining both mental and physical function even into their 70s and beyond.
Even more interesting, every extra cup of coffee added about a 2% higher chance of healthy aging. But of course, the benefits don’t keep increasing forever after a certain point, there are fewer extra benefits.
But keep in mind, not everything that contains caffeine gives the same results. Only coffee was found to be beneficial. People who drank cola had a 20% lower chance of aging well, and tea or decaf coffee didn’t show the same positive effects.
So, how does coffee help? Caffeine works by stimulating the brain, helping you wake up and think more clearly. It blocks a substance called adenosine, which normally makes you feel sleepy. Plus, coffee contains important antioxidants, which may help protect against diseases like Alzheimer’s. It’s also good for your heart and gut because the polyphenols in coffee act as prebiotics that feed the good bacteria in your digestive system.
But that doesn’t mean everyone who doesn’t drink coffee should start now. Not everyone’s body tolerates caffeine the same way. Some people may feel jittery, have trouble sleeping, or get an upset stomach even with a small amount.
If you’re going to drink coffee, it’s best to have it in the morning so it doesn’t affect your sleep. Also, try not to go over four cups a day, and make sure you’re getting enough calcium in your diet, because coffee can increase calcium loss from the body.
