New 32-Year Study Finds Daily Coffee May Help Women Age Healthier
Women who drink caffeinated coffee regularly in midlife may have a better chance of aging in good physical, mental, and cognitive health, according to a major long-term study presented on Monday at the Nutrition 2025 annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition in Orlando.
The study, led by Dr. Sara Mahdavi during her postdoctoral fellowship at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, tracked the health and dietary habits of 47,513 women over a 32-year period from 1984 to 2016. The findings suggest that women who consumed coffee regularly—especially in their 50s—were more likely to live beyond the age of 70 with minimal chronic diseases, strong physical function, and sound mental health.
“The findings suggest that caffeinated coffee — not tea, not decaf — may uniquely support aging trajectories that preserve both mental and physical function,” said Dr. Mahdavi.
Coffee’s Role in Healthy Aging
Participants were part of the Nurses’ Health Study, a large-scale, ongoing health survey in the United States. The women, aged between 45 and 60 at enrollment, provided detailed responses every four years about their dietary patterns and lifestyle, including their caffeine consumption from sources such as coffee, tea, cola, and decaffeinated coffee.
Researchers defined “healthy aging” as living to 70 or older without any of 11 major chronic illnesses, maintaining physical mobility, and having no signs of cognitive impairment or memory complaints.
By 2016, 3,706 women met these healthy aging criteria.
On average, these women consumed 315 mg of caffeine per day, equal to three small cups of coffee or 1.5 large cups by modern standards. Over 80% of their caffeine intake came from regular coffee, not other beverages.
Each additional cup of coffee per day was linked to a 2% to 5% increase in the likelihood of healthy aging—up to five cups daily, or roughly 2.5 modern-sized cups. Notably, this association held firm even after accounting for other lifestyle variables like diet quality, exercise, and smoking.
“These results, while preliminary, suggest that small, consistent habits can shape long-term health,” said Dr. Mahdavi.
Coffee vs. Other Caffeine Sources
While coffee appeared to offer positive effects, the study did not find similar benefits from other common sources of caffeine. Tea, decaffeinated coffee, and caffeinated soft drinks showed no significant association with healthy aging.
In fact, the study found that each additional small glass of caffeinated soda or cola was tied to a 20–26% lower chance of healthy aging.
“The health benefits appear specific to coffee. We didn’t observe the same associations with decaf, tea, or soda — suggesting that coffee’s unique combination of bioactive compounds plays a key role,” Dr. Mahdavi explained.
Moderation and Future Research
According to the researchers, up to two cups of coffee daily may be beneficial for most people, but moderate to higher intakes may offer additional advantages depending on individual tolerance.
Still, Dr. Mahdavi cautioned that coffee is no magic bullet and should be viewed as part of a holistic health strategy. “While this study adds to prior evidence suggesting coffee intake may be linked with healthy aging, the benefits are modest compared to overall healthy lifestyle habits,” she said.
Future research will explore how specific compounds in coffee interact with genetic and metabolic markers, particularly in women, to uncover the mechanisms driving these outcomes.
Important Notes and Limitations
Dr. Mahdavi noted that the participants in the study were primarily white, educated, and health professionals, which may limit the broader applicability of the results. “Further work is needed to confirm generalizability to more diverse populations,” she told Fox News Digital.
The study was presented as an abstract and has not yet undergone full peer-reviewed publication, though a detailed manuscript is expected to be submitted soon.
Meanwhile, health authorities like the Mayo Clinic continue to state that up to 400 mg of caffeine daily is safe for most healthy adults.
Bottom line: For women already enjoying their daily brew, this study offers promising evidence that coffee—when consumed in moderation—may do more than just wake you up. It might also help you age with strength, clarity, and resilience.
