Here’s What Happens When You Drink Coffee Every Day

It’s a decades-old debate: Is drinking coffee every day good for my health or not? The answer is “yes,” although there are some potential downsides.

According to the National Coffee Association (NCA), no one knows exactly when humans decided to dry and grind up coffee beans to brew and drink as a beverage, but most agree that the morning ritual began sometime in the middle of the 15th century. Recent data shows that Americans consume 146 billion cups of coffee per year, with the average coffee drinker consuming about 3 cups of joe per day.

So what effect does a daily dose of caffeine in coffee have on our bodies? There is good news… and not-so-good news.

Health Benefits of Daily Coffee Drinking

Depending on how it’s prepared and what you mix into it, coffee can have some encouraging health benefits.

Coffee contains caffeine, a natural stimulant that gives you more get-up-and-go, which is why you drink coffee in the morning in the first place. A 2019 study indicates that drinking caffeinated coffee improves one’s mood more than decaf.

According to a 2023 study published in Nutrition Journal, moderate caffeine consumption improves thyroid function for people suffering from metabolic disorders.

Also, according to a 2023 study published in Nutrition Journal, moderate caffeine consumption improves thyroid function for people suffering from metabolic disorders.

There is more to coffee’s health benefits than just caffeine, however. For example, coffee helps stimulate regular bowel movements. A study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences shows that coffee consumption is correlated with a decreased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia.

Even better, according to a 2018 study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, consuming 3 to 5 cups of coffee per day reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease by 15%.

The Downsides of Daily Coffee Drinking

Before you hurry up and make your third Starbucks run today, consider the potential downsides of drinking too much coffee.

According to a 2021 study of college students, ingesting too much caffeine can lead to anxiety, sleep disorders, and a lack of appetite. Although a 2022 study indicates that drinking coffee doesn’t have an adverse long-term effect on blood pressure, people with heart conditions and a predisposition for hypertension should limit their caffeine intake.

Coffee consumption can have a negative effect on bone health, especially for those at risk of developing osteoporosis, such as women over 50. There is more bad news for female coffee drinkers: even a small amount of caffeine could cause health problems during pregnancy.

Since caffeine is a stimulant, some people develop a psychological, physical, and even emotional dependency on coffee. People who drink a lot of coffee and suddenly stop can experience headaches and other withdrawal symptoms.

How Much Coffee Can I Drink Each Day?

If you don’t have any preexisting medical conditions that caffeine could exacerbate, there is little evidence that drinking a moderate amount of coffee — three to four cups daily — has any significant negative effects on one’s health.

In fact, the health benefits listed above may outweigh the potential downsides for most people.