Many people seek to achieve a healthy balance between benefiting from coffee and maintaining their psychological stability, but the appropriate amount often remains a question.
A recent study has revealed that drinking coffee in moderation may be key to boosting mental health, identifying the optimal amount that helps stay alert without experiencing negative side effects.
Researchers in China relied on health data from about 500,000 people from the UK Biobank with an average age of 57, 54% of whom were women, and studied the relationship between daily coffee consumption and the development of mood disorders such as depression, or stress-related disorders such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The participants were followed for 13 years, during which thousands of cases of mood and stress disorders were recorded.
The results showed that people who drank two to three cups of coffee a day were less likely to develop these disorders. This effect was observed across different types of coffee—regular, instant, and decaffeinated—suggesting that the benefit may be due to the components of coffee itself, not just caffeine.
In contrast, those who drank less showed no significant improvement in their mental health, while consuming more than three cups a day was associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and stress disorders.
The researchers explained these results by saying that moderate consumption is the most beneficial, while excess or deficiency does not achieve the same positive effect.
The data also showed that 71% of participants regularly drank coffee, and that the group consuming 2 to 3 cups a day was 10% to 20% less likely to develop these disorders compared to non-coffee drinkers.
Researchers believe these benefits are due to the "polyphenols" compounds found in coffee, which help reduce inflammation and protect brain cells, in addition to coffee's role in stimulating the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that enhances mood and relieves anxiety.
Coffee can also play a positive social role, as it is often associated with meetings with friends, which in turn is reflected in improving psychological well-being.
Despite these findings, the researchers emphasized that the study only demonstrates a correlation, not conclusive evidence of a causal relationship, and indicated the need for further research. They also noted that caffeine tolerance varies from person to person, meaning the optimal amount is not suitable for everyone.
The study was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
