Does coffee increase life expectancy?

Does drinking coffee really increase life expectancy?

Short answer? Yes — in moderation, coffee might just help you live longer.
Any excuse to enjoy another brew, right?

But when it comes to the science behind it — let’s take a closer look.

A white ceramic mug filled with freshly brewed black coffee, sitting on a wooden surface against a light background.

How does coffee affect longevity?

Numerous studies have shown that drinking coffee can be linked to a reduced risk of several chronic diseases, including:

Chronic liver disease
Certain types of cancer
Neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Parkinson’s

This suggests that coffee is not only enjoyable — it may also play a role in supporting a longer, healthier life.

A major study carried out in China, and published via The Guardian, analysed data from over 171,000 participants in the UK Biobank — one of the largest long-term health studies in the world.

The findings were fascinating:

People who drank 2–4 cups of coffee a day (including decaf or instant) had a lower risk of death over a 7-year period compared to non-coffee drinkers.
Even those who added sugar to their coffee saw some benefit.
Unsweetened coffee showed the strongest association with longevity — with a 29% lower risk of death in the moderate coffee consumption group.

However, excessive consumption, or high intake of sugar/artificial sweeteners, can start to undo those benefits. As always, moderation is key.

Humorous graphic showing an incoming call screen that says "Another Coffee is calling you" with options to "Remind Me Every 5 Minutes" or "Message My Brain To Do It," mimicking a smartphone interface.

Does coffee speed up ageing?

Despite caffeine’s stimulating effects, there is no solid evidence that coffee speeds up the ageing process. In fact, due to its high antioxidant content, coffee may actually help combat oxidative stress — a major contributor to cellular ageing.

Antioxidants in coffee have been linked to:

Reduced inflammation
Improved cardiovascular health
Protection against age-related diseases

The verdict

So yes — the data suggests that coffee may help increase life expectancy, particularly when consumed black or with minimal added sugar, and in moderation (2–4 cups per day).

That means there's no need to feel guilty about reaching for that third (or fourth) cup.

Want to brew for better health?

We can’t promise eternal youth, but we can help with exceptionally good coffee. At York Emporium, we offer over 30 unique coffees from across the globe — including single-origin and house blends designed to suit every brew style.