The benefits of coffee

Written by Cristina Gameiro, museologist at the Centro de Ciência do Café

Updated on 7 april 2025

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Coffe is a drink that has no specific time to be consumed. ‘Some prefer it full, others short, others flat, dripped, with milk, with cream, with a little flavour...’ In other words, there are countless ways to make a good coffee. Coffee is so widely consumed that some time ago scientists began to analyse and study its benefits.

So, let's talk about some of the benefits that have already been proven:

It's a protector of a healthy liver

For people suffering from hepatic steatosis or excessive alcohol consumption (cirrhosis), coffee acts as a protector against the development of these diseases. Both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee are excellent for the liver, as they increase liver enzymes, thus contributing to the proper functioning of this organ.

Coffee consumption is known to help reduce the risk of obesity

By drinking coffee regularly, the body burns more calories. The caffeine contained in coffee can help to control weight better and eliminate more fat.

Protects the body against cance

Coffee can help prevent certain types of cancer, such as colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer and oral cancer. We don't yet know exactly where this protective effect comes from, but it could be partly due to its high antioxidant content, an important factor in cancer prevention.

Researchers found that women who drank coffee or decaffeinated coffee had a 26 per cent lower chance of developing colorectal cancer.

Prevents bladder stone

The most common bladder stones are made up of cholesterol. Coffee can help prevent them by preventing cholesterol from turning into crystals in the bladder. By stimulating bladder contractions and urine output, it increases the circulation of bile, which prevents cholesterol from accumulating.

Reduces the risk of heart failure

One or two cups of coffee a day can help reduce the risk of heart failure, a problem that occurs when the heart has difficulty pumping blood to the rest of the body in sufficient quantity, due to its diuretic properties.

A friend of mental health

Coffee and decaffeinated coffee contain polyphenols, which act as antioxidants to reduce the negative effects of oxidative stress and inflammation on cells.

As a result, coffee in moderate amounts reduces depression (when consumed in moderation, less than six cups a day) and may have neurological benefits:

Acts as an antidepressant

Improves mood

Increases longevity

People who drink coffee regularly are less likely to die from certain diseases that have a higher mortality rate in women, such as diabetes, stroke, kidney disease and coronary heart disease.

It should be noted that it is strongly advised against adding sugar, cream or syrups to coffee and decaffeinated coffee, as this cancels out the benefits of coffee.