Coffee and health: What does the research say? - Mayo Clinic

COVID-19 Advice updates and vaccine options

Find out about COVID-19, COVID-19 vaccines, and Mayo Clinic patient and visitor updates. Skip to site navigation Skip to Content This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version.

Appointments at Mayo Clinic

Mayo Clinic offers appointments in Arizona, Florida and Minnesota and at Mayo Clinic Health System locations. Request Appointment Healthy Lifestyle

Nutrition and healthy eating

Products and services

Does coffee offer health benefits

Answer From Donald Hensrud, M.D. While past studies hinted that coffee might have a dark side, newer research suggests that it may actually have health benefits. Why the reversal? It's hard to look at just one aspect of diet and connect it to a health condition because so many other factors that could play a role. For example, early research on coffee didn't always take into account that heavy coffee drinkers also tended to use tobacco and be sedentary. When newer studies adjusted for such factors, they found a possible association between coffee and decreased mortality. Coffee may offer some protection against: Parkinson's disease Type 2 diabetes Liver disease, including liver cancer Heart attack and stroke Coffee still has potential risks, mostly due to its high caffeine content. For example, it can temporarily raise blood pressure. Women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding need to be cautious about caffeine. High intake of boiled, unfiltered coffee has been associated with mild increase in cholesterol levels. The bottom line? Your coffee habit is probably fine and may even have some benefits. But if you have side effects from coffee, such as heartburn, nervousness or insomnia, consider cutting back. With Donald Hensrud, M.D. There is a problem with information submitted for this request. Review/update the information highlighted below and resubmit the form.

From Mayo Clinic to your inbox

Sign up for free, and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. ErrorEmail field is required ErrorInclude a valid email address Learn more about Mayo Clinic’s use of data. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Subscribe!

Thank you for subscribing

You'll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.

Sorry something went wrong with your subscription

Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry

Coconut water: Is it super hydrating?Cooking oil ShareTweet March 19, 2022 Show references Lieberman HR, et al. Daily patterns of caffeine intake and the association of intake with multiple sociodemographic and lifestyle factors in U.S. adults based on the NHANES 2007­2012 surveys. Journal of the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2019; doi:10.1016/j.jand.2018.08.152. Bordeaux B. Benefits and risks of caffeine and caffeinated beverages. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Sept. 20, 2019. Grosso G, et al. Coffee, caffeine, and health outcomes: An umbrella review. Annual Review of Nutrition. 2019; doi:10.1146/annurev-nutr-071816-064941. O'Keefe JO, et al. Coffee for cardioprotection and longevity. Progress in Cardiovascular Diseases. 2018; doi:10.1016/j.pcad.2018.02.002. IARC Working Group on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk to Humans. Vol. 116: Drinking coffee, mate, and very hot beverages. In: IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of Carcinogenic Risk to Humans. International Agency for Research on Cancer; 2018. http://publications.iarc.fr/566. Accessed Sept. 25, 2019. Benefits of coffee. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/preventing-illness/benefits-of-coffee. Accessed Sept. 25, 2019. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Committee Opinion No.462: Moderate caffeine consumption during Pregnancy. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2010; doi:10.1097/AOG.0b013e3181eeb2a1. Reaffirmed 2016. Hensrud DD (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic. Feb. 6, 2020. Zhou A, et al. Long-term coffee consumption, caffeine metabolism genetics, and risk of cardiovascular disease: A prospective analysis of up to 347,077 individuals and 8368 cases. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2019; doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqy297. Wikoff D, et al. Systematic review of the potential adverse effects of caffeine consumption in healthy adults, pregnant women, adolescents, and children. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 2017; doi: 10.1016/j.fct.2017.04.002. See more Expert Answers

Products and Services

Available Health Products from Mayo Clinic StoreBook: Cook Smart, Eat WellBook: Live Younger LongerBook: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th EditionBook: The Mayo Clinic DietThe Mayo Clinic Diet OnlineBook: Mayo Clinic Book of Home RemediesBook: Mayo Clinic 5 Steps to Controlling High Blood PressureNewsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter - Digital EditionBook: Mayo Clinic on Digestive Health

See also

3 diet changes women over 50 should make right nowAdded sugarAlcohol useAlkaline waterAre energy drinks bull?Artificial sweeteners and other sugar substitutesAutism spectrum disorder and digestive symptomsBad food habits at work? Get back on track in 5 stepsBest oil for cooking?Dietary guidelinesBreastfeeding nutrition: Tips for momsCaffeine: How much is too much?Is caffeine dehydrating?Calorie calculatorCan whole-grain foods lower blood pressure?CarbohydratesChart of high-fiber foodsCholesterol: Top foods to improve your numbersCoconut water: Is it super hydrating?Diet soda: How much is too much?Dietary fatsDietary fiberPrickly pear cactusDoes soy really affect breast cancer risk?Don't get tricked by these 3 heart-health mythsDon't go cuckoo for coconut waterEat more of these key nutrientsEggs: Bad for cholesterol?Fiber: Soluble or insoluble?Fit more fiber into your dietGet to know the new Nutrition Facts labelHealthy-eating tip: Don't forget fiberHidden sources of sodiumHigh-fructose corn syrupHigh-protein dietsHow to track saturated fatTakeout containersIs there more to hydration than water?Juicing is no substitute for whole foodsJuicingLimit bad fats, one step at a timeMake food labels required readingMonosodium glutamate (MSG)Need a snack? Go nuts!Need more fiber? Take 3 stepsNutrition rules that will fuel your workoutNuts and your heart: Eating nuts for heart healthOmega-3 in fishOmega-6 fatty acidsPhenylalanineProtein: Heart-healthy sourcesHealth foodsPortion controlPlanning healthy mealsHigh-fiber dietSodiumStep away from the saltshakerSteviaTaurine in energy drinksTime to cut back on caffeine?Trans fatUnderweight: Add pounds healthfullyWant a healthier dinnertime? Science says change your eating spaceDaily water requirementWhat's considered moderate alcohol use?What's the difference between juicing and blending?Working out? Remember to drink upYerba mateShow more related content

Advertisement

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Advertising & Sponsorship Policy Opportunities Ad Choices

Mayo Clinic Press

Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic on Incontinence - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic on IncontinenceNEW – The Essential Diabetes Book - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – The Essential Diabetes BookNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and Balance - Mayo Clinic PressNEW – Mayo Clinic on Hearing and BalanceFREE Mayo Clinic Diet Assessment - Mayo Clinic PressFREE Mayo Clinic Diet AssessmentMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book - Mayo Clinic PressMayo Clinic Health Letter - FREE book

Other Topics in Patient Care & Health Info

Diseases & Conditions A-Z Symptoms A-Z Tests & Procedures A-Z Drugs & Supplements A-Z Health Books Healthy Living Program Mayo Clinic Health Letter Mayo Clinic Voice Apps . FAQ-20058339 Healthy Lifestyle Nutrition and healthy eating Expert Answers Coffee and health What does the research say

Mayo Clinic Footer

Request AppointmentSymptom CheckerGive NowContact UsAbout Mayo ClinicEmployeesSite MapAbout This Site

Legal Conditions and Terms

Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Notice of Privacy Practices Notice of Nondiscrimination Manage Cookies

Reprint Permissions

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

HON

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information:
verify here. 1998-2022 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved.