Coffee consumption has been linked to a lower risk of mortality, with moderate levels (1-2 cups per day) showing significant benefits. However, adding large amounts of sugar and saturated fat can diminish these effects.
Researchers from the Gerald J. and Dorothy R. Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University analyzed data from 46,000 adults over nine cycles between 1999 and 2018. They found that black coffee or coffee with low added sugar and saturated fat was associated with a 14% lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to non-coffee drinkers.
Moderate coffee consumption (1-2 cups per day) showed stronger links, including a 16% reduced risk for those consuming at least one cup per day and a 17% link for those drinking 2-3 cups. However, further increases in coffee consumption did not yield additional benefits, and high levels of sugar and saturated fat may even negate these effects.
The study’s authors note that the addition of sweeteners and saturated fats may reduce the mortality benefits of coffee due to its bioactive compounds. The findings align with dietary guidelines recommending limited added sugar and saturated fat intake.
While the study’s results are promising, limitations include reliance on self-reported data, which can be subject to error. Further research is necessary to confirm these findings and explore potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between coffee consumption and mortality risk.
Source: https://now.tufts.edu/2025/06/16/hold-cream-and-sugar-black-coffee-linked-lower-risk-death