Coffee is a natural food (it grows on trees!) that people have enjoyed for many centuries. And much of the evidence on coffee and health finds that drinking regular or decaffeinated coffee is associated with health benefits, including increased overall longevity and reduced risk of multiple cancers and chronic diseases. After all, decaffeinated coffee contains many of the same natural compounds as regular coffee—just without the caffeine!
Health benefits of decaf coffee
One very large, well-designed study using UK Biobank data found that drinking 3 cups of any kind of coffee per day was associated with a 12% reduction in overall mortality, and the study specifies that “Similar associations were observed for instant, ground, and decaffeinated coffee…”
Numerous health authorities affirm the evidence that drinking coffee—caffeinated or decaf—is associated with significant health benefits:
- The World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) determined that coffee is not likely to cause cancer and may be protective against some cancers.
- California’s state scientific agency, OEHHA, in separate reviews concluded: “A very large number of human studies, taken together, show inadequate evidence that drinking coffee causes cancer. Drinking coffee even appears to reduce the risk of liver cancer and endometrial cancer.”
- The American Cancer Society updated its dietary guidelines for cancer prevention in 2020 and concluded that coffee reduces the risk of skin, mouth, and throat cancer and likely reduces the risk of liver and endometrial cancer.
- The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends consuming coffee “regularly.”
- The World Cancer Research Fund says “…there is strong evidence that coffee decreases the risk of liver and womb cancers. There’s also some evidence that coffee decreases the risk of mouth, pharynx and larynx, and skin cancers.”
Have questions about decaf safety? There are four common methods that rely on chemistry to remove the caffeine naturally found in coffee beans. All are equally safe.
If you’d like to take a deeper dive into the science behind coffee and health, browse our research library.
All information presented is general and not intended as a substitute for individualized healthcare or advice. Please consult your healthcare provider about your personal health.
