It’s one of those universities we all dream(t) of attending. The best university in the world. Harvard University.
But what do they have to offer to the world of coffee lovers?
Here are 11 Harvard University studies on coffee summarized.
By Lilian.
Harvard Study on Coffee Benefits Against Prostate Cancer
A daily cup of joe keeps that aggressive prostate cancer away!
Well, that’s according to a study conducted by Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers.
The sample used in their investigation had over 47,000 American men. Each of these men reported his coffee consumption every 4 years from 1986 to 2008.
Those that drank 6+ cups of coffee everyday – whether caffeinated or decaffeinated – had a 20% lower risk of developing any form of cancer.
For aggressive prostate cancer, the percentage changed to a 60% lower risk.
Those that drank 1-3 cups had a 30% lower risk of developing the aggressive/lethal form of prostate cancer.
Don’t we need more coffee subscription gifts for the men in our lives?
Coffee Protects Against Skin Cancer
In another study led by Jiali Han, an associate professor in epidemiology at HSPH, coffee lovers have a lower risk of skin cancer.
With fellow researchers, Han studied over 100,000 people who drank 3+ cups of coffee every day.
The scholars used data from different studies to examine the risks of basal cell carcinoma – a form of skin cancer that affects nearly 2 million Americans every year.
They found that people who drink at least 3 cups of joe everyday have a 20% lower risk of basal cell carcinoma.
Interestingly, the result was different among those people who drink decaffeinated coffee.
Coca Cola and chocolate lovers actually enjoyed a lower risk of basal cell carcinoma than those who drank decaffeinated coffee.
So, basically, caffeine is the protective agent.
Moderate Coffee Drinking Associated with Longetivity
Researchers from Harvard University conducted a study to determine the effects of coffee drinking on the risk of premature death.
They assessed over 200,000 men and women, in a period of three decades.
The scholars found that moderate coffee drinking actually reduces the risk of premature death.
In simpler terms, if you drink coffee moderately, you’re likely to live longer!
You’re less likely to die from Type 2 Diabetes, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease and suicide.
The question is, according to these researchers, what is moderate coffee drinking?
Well, that’s around 3 to 5 cups of coffee everyday – whether it’s caffeinated or decaffeinated, brewed or instant coffee.
Coffee Reduces Body Fat
Did you know that sipping on that cup of joe every day helps you lose the extra weight?
A study by researchers from Harvard School of Public Health recently found that four cups of coffee everyday reduces your body fat by 4%!
But, only if you steer off from cream and sugar.
This conclusion was arrived at after a 24-weeks inquiry conducted among 126 overweight adults who drank 4 cups of coffee.
The most interesting thing was that it doesn’t have to be regular coffee.
Even coffee-like placebo drinks yielded the same results!
Coffee Reduces Risk of Early Death from Colorectal Cancer
According to the American Cancer Society, besides skin cancer, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 3rd most common cancer in the US.
Does Harvard have any study about CRC and coffee?
The answer is yes!
Experts from HSPH conducted a study among nearly 1,600 patients diagnosed with CRC (stages 1-3).
They noted a significantly lower risk of early death among CRC patients who drank 4+ cups of coffee every day post-diagnosis.
Note that the death could be either from cancer or any other cause.
They were covered, either way!
A similar research was conducted by scholars from Harvard-affiliated Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
They found that metastatic CRC patients who drink 2-3 cups of coffee (caffeinated or decaffeinated) every day live longer than those who don’t drink coffee.
Those that drank 4+ cups a day enjoyed even more benefits!
Coffee May Help Protect Against Heart Failure
A daily cup of joe keeps heart failure away!
Well, that’s according to investigation conducted by Elizabeth Mostofsky, a research fellow at HSPH.
In the investigation, Elizabeth and her colleagues relied on data from 1966-2011 studies on coffee consumption and the risk of heart failure.
From the analysis of over 140,000 participants, they found that drinking two 8-ounce cups of coffee everyday lowers the risk of heart failure by 11%.
The risk percentage reduced as more coffee was consumed, suggesting it was not necessary.
Now, if you’re like me, then that cup of coffee must come sweetened.
Otherwise, I’d better do without… What does research say about us?
Harvard’s Sweetened Coffee Study
Hurray! We’re lucky!
Scholars from the Harvard Medical School confirmed that even with a little sugar, coffee’s still good for our health!
They conducted a study in a period of 7 years, involving over 170,000 healthy coffee lovers aged 37-73 years.
The results revealed that sweetened coffee lovers (caffeinated or decaffeinated) were less likely to die in the 7-year period. Those that drank 1.5 to 3.5 cups of joe daily.
The limit was about a teaspoon of sugar per cup.
Though, remember that consuming too much sugar is linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, weight gain, etc.
Now, we always hear that coffee makes us happier.
Does Harvard have anything to prove this? Read on!
Harvard’s Coffee-Happiness Study
A study published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One reveals that researchers from Harvard University have left no stone unturned giving us all the answers we need!
They explored coffee consumption and how it relates to happiness over a period of 20 years!
Yes, 2 decades!
The results revealed drinking coffee occasionally has a slightly positive effect on happiness.
Heavy coffee drinkers have lower levels of happiness in the long-term.
Interestingly, there was no significant association between moderate coffee consumption and long-term happiness.
Happiness aside, let’s move on to more serious topic.
Drinking Coffee is Tied to Lower Risk of Suicide
HSPH researchers confirm that coffee lovers who drink coffee daily have a lower risk of suicide.
This time, the scholars reviewed data from previous studies conducted in the US.
They found that coffee lovers who took 2-4 cups of caffeinated coffee everyday have a 50% lower risk of suicide than those who drank decaffeinated coffee, very little amounts of coffee, or none at all.
So, caffeine is the secret to keep those suicidal thoughts away!
But hey, drinking coffee is not all glossy! Why?
Coffee Increases Migraine Risk
Are you one of the people who has frequent migraines? After the second cup of joe, just call it a day!
A research conducted by the HSPH found that people who are prone to migraines get even more debilitating headaches after the 3rd cup.
More so if you’re used to just 1-2 cups of joe daily.
That extra cup is the devil calling…
Finally, with all the hullabaloo of the amounts of coffee we should drink every day, you might even be confused on how much is safe for us?
What’s the truth?
How Much Coffee Should I Drink?
There’s probably no better placed person to give us this answer than Uma Maidoo.
She’s a Harvard trained psychiatrist, nutrition specialist and chef.
That’s a “triple threat”. Maidoo is also the author of the bestseller This Is Your Brain on Food.
She suggests 3 cups a day.
Why?
Maidoo’s 3-cups-a-day rule is founded on a study conducted among 676 elderly men over a decade.
The study had revealed that those who drank 3 cups of coffee every day had the least cognitive decline compared to their peers.
Another Harvard study Maidoo mentions was conducted in two decades among 200,000+ coffee lovers.
Both men and women.
The results showed that drinking 3.1 to 5 cups of coffee everyday yields the maximum longevity benefit.
So, around 3 cups of coffee every day should be just fine.
Photos by kaboomix, hudsoncrafted and Lucie Liz
