One 350ml cup of coffee every day for 16 years reduces the risk of premature death by 12 per cent, and by 16 per cent if you drink three cups a day, researchers from Imperial College London have estimated.
Although they can’t absolutely prove that coffee increases longevity – there are too many other lifestyle factors at play to determine that – they say the drink has many health-giving benefits, such as reducing insulin resistance, lowering inflammation and improving liver function. Other studies have shown that compounds in coffee – including antioxidants – can protect against some cancers and heart disease.
In their study, the researchers looked at the health and lifestyle habits of 521,330 people living in 10 European countries.
In the 16 years of the study, 41,693 participants died, but the deaths were fewer among coffee drinkers, and fewer still among those who drank three cups a day. The coffee drinkers were less likely to die from digestive disease, circulatory problems and stroke.
(Source: Annals of Internal Medicine, 2017; published, 11 July 2017)
