Coffee lovers with sedentary lifestyle tend to live longer than others: Study

Coffee lovers have a reason to rejoice. According to a recent study published in the journal BMC Public Health, individuals who drink coffee but lead a sedentary lifestyle experience a significant decrease in mortality risk compared to those who sit for more than six hours daily and do not consume coffee.

The study conducted on US adults suggests that coffee consumption may offer a protective effect against the negative health impacts associated with prolonged sitting.

Non-coffee drinkers were found to be nearly 1.6 times more likely to die from all causes compared to coffee drinkers.


While sedentary behavior is generally linked to various health risks, the findings indicate that coffee intake may help mitigate the increased mortality risk for those who spend much of their day seated.

Doctors across New Delhi believe the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties in coffee contribute to these benefits. They recommend moderate coffee consumption as part of a balanced diet, along with regular physical activity and nutritious eating habits.

Dr. Narander Kumar, a consultant in internal medicine and infectious diseases at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, explained to TOI, “The reduction in mortality among coffee drinkers can be attributed to its rich content of polyphenols, which improve vascular function and reduce inflammation.”

Supporting this, Dr. Arvind Khurana, principal director of gastroenterology at Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurgaon in an interview with TOI said, that coffee's antioxidant properties, cardiovascular benefits, improvements in metabolic health, potential mental health impacts, and protective effects on liver health all contribute to lower mortality rates among regular coffee drinkers.

While these benefits might be consistent across different populations, including in India, lifestyle choices, dietary habits, and genetic factors can influence the outcomes, Gupta noted.

However, excessive coffee intake can lead to adverse effects such as increased anxiety, sleep disturbances, and digestive issues.

Dr. Mukesh Mehra, director of internal medicine at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj told TOI that drinking three to four cups of coffee daily has been linked to various health benefits, but it’s crucial to consider one’s personal health status and caffeine tolerance.