Great news for all you caffeine fiends — coffee might actually help you live longer. But there’s a catch, and it might hit you right in the venti frappuccino.
A new study out of Tufts University found that drinking one to three cups of caffeinated coffee a day is linked to a lower overall risk of death, especially when it comes to heart-related issues. In other words, black coffee = longer life.
But here’s the deal:☕️ It only works if you’re not drowning your coffee in sugar, cream, caramel drizzle, and whipped topping.
Researchers say the benefits are tied specifically to black coffee or coffee with just a little bit of sugar and fat — not the kind of drink that comes with a dome lid and a warning label.
They defined “low sugar” as 2.5 grams per cup (that’s about half a teaspoon) and “low fat” as 1 gram of saturated fat (think: a splash of 2% milk or a single tablespoon of light cream).
Once you cross into “coffee milkshake” territory, the health perks basically disappear.
So how does coffee help? Scientists think it’s the bioactive compounds in coffee that do the heavy lifting — helping with inflammation, heart health, and more.
☕️ Oh, and bonus: two to three cups a day showed slightly more benefit than just one — but more than three doesn’t help any extra. So maybe don’t chug a pot.
💬 Are you a black coffee warrior, or is your cup 90% creamer? Tell us what your go-to coffee order says about your health. We might read your take on-air!