Summary: A large, long-term study following nearly 50,000 women for three decades found that drinking caffeinated coffee in midlife was associated with better overall aging. Women who consumed regular coffee were more likely to reach older age free of major chronic disease, maintain physical function, and avoid cognitive decline compared with those who drank less coffee.
The benefits in this study were linked specifically to caffeinated coffee; researchers did not find the same associations for tea or decaffeinated coffee. In contrast, higher soda consumption was associated with substantially worse aging outcomes. Investigators emphasize that moderate coffee consumption may complement a healthy lifestyle, but genetics and other factors also influence long-term health.
Key facts
- Caffeine source matters: Only caffeinated (regular) coffee—not tea, decaf coffee, or cola—showed a positive association with healthier aging.
- Modest but measurable effects: Each additional cup of caffeinated coffee in midlife was linked to roughly a 2–5% greater likelihood of healthy aging, up to a threshold observed in the study.
- Soda warning: Each extra serving of soda was associated with a 20–26% lower probability of healthy aging, underscoring that not all caffeinated beverages have the same effect.
Study overview
Researchers analyzed data from 47,513 women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study, using dietary and health information collected since 1984. Diet was assessed repeatedly with validated food frequency questionnaires that captured major sources of caffeine—regular coffee, decaffeinated coffee, tea, and cola. Participants were followed for about 30 years to evaluate long-term outcomes related to aging.
How healthy aging was defined
The investigators used a broad, multi-domain definition of healthy aging: surviving to age 70 or older without any of 11 major chronic illnesses, preserving physical functioning, maintaining good mental health, showing no evidence of cognitive impairment, and reporting no memory complaints. By 2016, 3,706 women in the cohort met all these criteria.
Key findings
On average, women who met the healthy aging definition reported consuming about 315 mg of caffeine per day in midlife (approximately equivalent to three small cups of coffee by the standards used in the study). More than 80% of that caffeine intake came from regular, caffeinated coffee.
After adjusting for multiple lifestyle and demographic factors—such as body weight, smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, education level, and dietary protein—the analysis estimated changes in the likelihood of healthy aging for each 80 mg increment of daily caffeine intake and for each specific beverage (per 8-ounce cup for coffee/tea or per 12-ounce glass for soda).
Among women who achieved healthy aging, each additional cup of regular caffeinated coffee in midlife was associated with an estimated 2%–5% higher chance of healthy aging, up to about five small cups per day as measured in the study (roughly 2.5 cups by current larger cup standards). Decaffeinated coffee and tea showed no clear association. In contrast, each extra small glass of soda was linked to a 20%–26% lower likelihood of healthy aging.
Interpretation and implications
Lead author Dr. Sara Mahdavi and colleagues note that these results are preliminary but consistent with the idea that small, habitual behaviors can influence long-term health trajectories. Moderate caffeinated coffee intake may offer modest protective benefits when combined with established healthy behaviors—regular exercise, balanced diet, and avoiding tobacco use. However, the benefits of coffee were modest compared with the overall impact of comprehensive healthy lifestyle choices.
The researchers caution that individual responses to caffeine vary. Prior work from the same team has shown genetic variation can modify how caffeine affects health, so more caffeine is not universally better—especially for people with lower caffeine tolerance or specific genetic susceptibilities. Current guidance from the study team suggests that up to two cups of coffee per day is likely safe and potentially beneficial for many people, while higher amounts may help some but not others.
Future directions
Because coffee contains many bioactive compounds beyond caffeine, researchers plan to investigate how individual coffee components interact with genetic and metabolic markers of aging, particularly in women. Better understanding these mechanisms could inform personalized dietary recommendations to support longevity and cognitive health.
About this caffeine and aging research news
Author: Nancy Lamontagne
Source: American Society for Nutrition
Contact: Nancy Lamontagne, American Society for Nutrition
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original research presentation: Findings were presented at NUTRITION 2025, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition.