We have been reading Dr. Michael Mosley’s book “Just One Thing” and picked out his recommendation to drink coffee every day to lower your risk of stroke, heart disease, cancer, and dementia.
We thought we would check out the science and obtained this positive summary from Harvard Health and the Mayo Clinic.
They say moderate coffee intake (3 to 5 cups per day) does lower the risk of chronic diseases, like stroke, Type 2 diabetes, cognitive decline and four types of common cancer.
1. Heart Disease & Stroke
- The Evidence: Global reviews analysing data from millions of participants show that moderate coffee drinkers have a 15% lower risk of cardiovascular disease and roughly a 12% lower risk of stroke compared to non-drinkers.
- How it Works: Coffee is packed with polyphenols and antioxidants that preserve endothelial function (the health of your blood vessel linings) and reduce systemic inflammation. Regular consumption is also strongly linked to a 29% lower risk of Type 2 diabetes, which is a major precursor to heart disease.
- The Caveat: Unfiltered coffee (like French press or Turkish coffee) contains chemical compounds called diterpenes that can actually raise “bad” LDL cholesterol. (Monday Club coffee delivers the best result.)
2. Dementia & Cognitive Decline
- The Evidence: A major long-term study published in JAMA analysed data from over 130,000 adults tracked for up to 40 years. Researchers found that drinking 2 to 3 cups of caffeinated coffee daily was linked to an 18% lower risk of developing dementia and resulted in slower cognitive decline over time.
- How it Works: Caffeine blocks adenosine receptors, which acutely boosts focus, but long-term it prevents the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques (proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease). Interestingly, decaffeinated coffee did not show this protective brain effect in the JAMA study, indicating that caffeine plays a key role.
3. Cancer
- The Evidence: Massive epidemiological studies involving over 100 cohorts confirm that regular coffee consumption is associated with a reduced incidence of several cancers, particularly liver, endometrial, oral, and colorectal cancers. The World Health Organization (WHO) officially removed coffee from its list of potential carcinogens and reclassified it as protective against certain malignancies.
- How it Works: Coffee contains highly active phytochemicals like chlorogenic acids and kahweol. These compounds trigger antioxidant enzymes in the body that neutralize free radicals, suppress tumor cell growth, and enhance the liver’s ability to detoxify carcinogens.
All good news! Make sure you enjoy a cup of our fabulous Little Marionette coffee, roasted in Balmain, when you next visit Monday Club.
