Can Coffee and Tea Actually Boost Your Health? Science Says Yes, But Only If You Don’t Go Overboard, According to New Research

Love Coffee or Tea? Here’s How to Drink Your Way to Better Health

Can Coffee and Tea Actually Boost Your Health? Science Says Yes, But Only If You Don’t Go Overboard, According to New Research

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Hey there, coffee lovers! Hold on to your mugs because I’ve got some news that’s about to make your daily caffeine habit feel even better. You already know how that first cup in the morning feels like magic? It wakes you up, keeps you going, and maybe even It’s the thing that keeps you from losing your mind by 10 a.m. But what if I told you that your morning brew might also be helping your heart? Yeah, Your beloved coffee  might be doing way more than just waking you up. That daily cup of coffee could be doing some serious health work under the surface.

Researchers just shared some interesting findings in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. It turns out that drinking coffee (or tea!) might actually help lower the risk of developing certain heart and metabolic conditions when you drink it in moderate amounts.

Let’s break it down.

A Little Coffee, a Lot of Benefits

The research team, led by Dr. Chaofu Ke at Soochow University in China, studied a huge sample of data from around 180,000 people. None of them had heart diseases or diabetes at the start. The researchers found that those who drank about three cups of coffee or tea a day had a significantly lower risk of something called cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CM). Don’t worry, I had to Google that too. It’s when you’ve got multiple major health issues like heart disease, stroke, or  diabetes, all related to the heart and blood vessels hanging out together—real fun group, right?  

So they found that people who drank around three cups daily had a 48% lower risk of getting these conditions. Even if they consumed around 200-300 milligrams of caffeine (about three cups), they had a 40.7% lower risk compared to people who barely drank coffee.

Here’s the big takeaway: if you’re sipping about three cups a day, you could cut your risk of CM by 48%. Even if you’re only drinking 200-300 milligrams of caffeine (about three cups), your risk is 40.7% lower compared to those who don’t drink coffee at all. So yeah, it’s a pretty big deal.

So, What Does This Really Mean?

For most of us, coffee is basically a lifeline at this point. Dr. Gregory Marcus, a cardiology researcher at the University of California, says this research adds to the growing pile of evidence suggesting caffeine could actually be good for your heart.

But before you go chugging your entire pot of coffee, there are a couple things you need to keep in mind:

1. How Much Coffee Is the “Right” Amount?

Here’s the thing: it’s not a caffeine free-for-all. Dr. Marcus says that while moderate amounts are good, more is not always better. Dr. Ke recommends keeping it to about three cups (roughly 200-300 milligrams of caffeine) to get the most benefits. But push past that, and you’re in dangerous territory. Too much coffee (and especially energy drinks) can mess with your heart, cause irregular heartbeats, and even boost your blood pressure. So, enjoy your coffee, but don’t go overboard, okay?

2. Why You Shouldn’t Overdo It? 

Listen, this isn’t a green light to start guzzling coffee like it’s water. A few cups a day can give you some real benefits, but too much caffeine can mess with your sleep, make you jittery, or even cause more serious health issues. And if you’re not already a coffee person? No need to start now just because of this study. There are plenty of other ways to keep your heart healthy, like staying active and eating well. So, take it easy and find what works for you.

3. How to Find Your Caffeine Balance?

Caffeine is not a magical health solution. This study only shows a connection, not a guaranteed cause-and-effect. So while the research is promising, it’s possible that people who drink coffee and tea already tend to have healthier habits in general.

So, how do you enjoy the benefits without going too far? Here’s some solid advice from the research:

• Stick to moderate amounts. About three cups of coffee or tea daily, or 200-300 milligrams of caffeine, is your sweet spot.
• Skip the energy drinks. They’re full of junk that messes with your health—like added sugars and other nasties that are terrible for your heart.
• Mix it up with tea. If you’re really into caffeine, try swapping out a cup of coffee for black or green tea. Keeps things fresh while maintaining that balance.

Why Coffee? Why Now?

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Look, this isn’t the first time science has sung the praises of caffeine. Past studies have suggested caffeine might reduce the risk of diabetes or help with abnormal heart rhythms. But remember, these studies are observational—meaning they show a correlation, not a cause-and-effect. So while coffee’s been getting a lot of love lately, the key takeaway is simple: it’s not just about your coffee, it’s about living a healthy lifestyle as a whole.

So next time you take a sip of your coffee or tea, don’t just think about the flavor or the jolt of energy. Think of it as a little boost for your heart’s health. And if you really want to maximize those benefits? Keep it moderate, stay balanced, and enjoy the ride. Your heart will thank you later.

More information: Xujia Lu, Habitual Coffee, Tea, and Caffeine Consumption, Circulating Metabolites, and the Risk of Cardiometabolic Multimorbidity, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (2024). https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgae552

Journal information: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism