Women who enjoy a daily cup of coffee may have more reason to sip with confidence. A new study presented at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting suggests that moderate coffee consumption during midlife is associated with better odds of healthy aging.
The research, conducted by a team from the University of Toronto and led by nutritional sciences adjunct professor Sara Mahdavi, tracked more than 47,000 U.S. female nurses for over 30 years. The women, all under the age of 60 at the study’s start in 1986, regularly reported their consumption of coffee, tea, cola, and decaffeinated beverages.
By 2016, researchers identified 3,706 participants who met their definition of “healthy aging”—women who had lived to at least 70 years old without major chronic diseases and who maintained strong physical, cognitive, and mental health.
Among these women, moderate intake of caffeinated coffee—about 2 to 4 cups per day—was associated with a 2–5% higher likelihood of healthy aging for each additional cup, up to five cups daily. The average caffeine intake among this group was 315 mg per day, primarily from coffee.
“We found that women who consumed moderate amounts of caffeinated coffee in midlife were more likely to age in good health,” Mahdavi told TIME. “That’s not to say coffee is a cure-all, but for those who already drink and tolerate it well, it appears to be a positive part of a healthy lifestyle.”
The benefits, however, appeared to be specific to caffeinated coffee. The study found no significant health-aging association with decaffeinated coffee or tea. In contrast, cola consumption was linked to worse outcomes—each additional glass per day corresponded with a 20–26% lower chance of healthy aging.
Mahdavi pointed to coffee’s unique bioactive compounds, including chlorogenic acids and micronutrients, which may support vascular health, reduce inflammation, and improve glucose metabolism—key factors in aging well.
Still, Mahdavi and her team caution that the findings are observational and do not prove causation. Coffee may be one piece of the broader healthy lifestyle puzzle.
“Women who aged best were also more likely to eat well, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking—those behaviors matter much more,” Mahdavi noted. “Also, more isn’t necessarily better. The clearest benefits were seen with moderate coffee intake.”
While the study has yet to be peer-reviewed or published, it offers encouraging news for coffee drinkers in midlife. For those already enjoying a few daily cups and tolerating caffeine well, the findings suggest their habit may be contributing to a healthier, longer life.
