Black Coffee May Help You Live Longer—But Skip the Sugar and Cream.

A 2024 study from Tufts University published in The Journal of Nutrition found that drinking 1–3 cups of black coffee per day was linked to a 14–17% lower risk of death from any cause, including cardiovascular disease. But when that coffee is loaded with sugar or saturated fat, the benefit fades fast.

Using data from over 46,000 U.S. adults tracked by NHANES from 1999–2018, researchers found that modest coffee consumption supported longevity—especially when additives like cream or syrups were kept to a minimum. More than 3 cups a day didn’t offer added protection, and decaf coffee showed no strong effect, likely due to low consumption in the dataset.

Drink your coffee black or lightly dressed—it might do your heart and your lifespan a favor.