A recent observational study discovered a correlation between coffee intake and changes in the risk of mortality based on the amount of sweeteners and saturated fat added to the beverage.

Published in The Journal of Nutrition, the study revealed that consuming 1-2 cups of caffeinated coffee daily was associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes and cardiovascular disease.

Black coffee and coffee with minimal added sugar and saturated fat were linked to a 14% lower risk of all-cause mortality compared to no coffee consumption. Conversely, coffee with high levels of added sugar and saturated fat did not show the same benefits.

Fang Fang Zhang, the senior author of the study and a professor at Tufts University's Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy, highlighted the significance of understanding the health implications of coffee consumption, given its popularity worldwide.

The research analyzed data from nine cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 1999 and 2018, involving a sample of 46,000 adults aged 20 and above. The study categorized coffee consumption by type, sugar, and saturated fat content, with mortality outcomes including all-cause, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

Consumption of at least one cup of coffee per day was associated with a 16% lower risk of all-cause mortality, increasing to 17% with 2-3 cups per day. However, consuming more than three cups daily did not provide additional benefits, and the association between coffee intake and reduced cardiovascular disease mortality weakened with higher consumption.

No significant links were found between coffee consumption and cancer mortality. The study also emphasized the importance of limiting added sugar and saturated fat in line with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

While the study had limitations such as potential measurement errors due to self-reported dietary recalls, it shed light on the impact of coffee additives on mortality risk, with implications for public health recommendations.