This Many Coffees Per Day Could Extend Your Healthy Years, Study Finds

Past research has shown that drinking coffee could provide health benefits including improved heart health and protection against diabetes. A new study found that daily coffee consumption could help you enjoy a healthy life for longer. 

The new research published in the Ageing Research Reviews journal analyzed 85 studies from around the world that explored coffee's impact on our health. The team of researchers from Portugal's University of Coimbra found that drinking three cups of coffee each day could extend one's healthspan—or time spent without serious illness or disabilities of aging—by approximately 1.84 years. They also learned that coffee consumption seemingly lowered the risks of diseases commonly observed in older adults like heart disease, stroke, respiratory illness, some cancers, diabetes, and dementia.

“We know that the world’s population is aging faster than ever, which is why it’s increasingly important to explore dietary interventions which may allow people to not only live longer but also healthier lives," study lead author Rodrigo Cunha said in a statement. "Traditional clinical recommendations have at times overlooked coffee’s role in healthy aging, but with a strong research base around how regular consumption can potentially reduce some of the most chronic diseases facing society, it is likely time to re-evaluate these."

Related: Life-Affirming New Study Says Coffee Is Good For Your Heart

The team chalked up these supposed benefits to its blend of more than 2,000 potentially bioactive compounds including polyphenols, which are associated with reduced inflammation and regulated insulin production. Still, more research needs to be done to determine the exact cause of this association between coffee consumption and longer healthspan. 

"While both caffeine and non-caffeine components of coffee can help extend healthy lifespan, there is still much we don’t know about the exact mechanisms behind the role these components play," the authors said, per VeryWellHealth. 

If you've been hesitant to pour up an extra cup, this might be your sign.