Coffee Probably Doesn't Extend Your Life

The ongoing struggle for coffee drinkers everywhere.

Pictured: Necessary for life, but not necessary if you know what I mean. Photo by Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

Coffee is a global addiction that humanity has embraced with open arms. We love coffee with a passion that’s rivaled by few other things. Over half of the population of the United States drinks coffee, at an average of 1-2 cups per day, and the rest of the world isn’t far behind.

According to recent headlines, coffee isn’t just a delicious drink that we all love. It might also be extending our lives - although, there’s a catch. You have to drink it black to get the full benefits of the magical brew.

Except that’s not what the data really shows. Drinking coffee is definitely associated with having a longer life, but there’s no good evidence that the coffee makes you healthier. Also, the newest study didn’t show anything about black vs sweetened/milked coffee despite the headlines.

Let’s look at the data.