Overview
- Researchers analyzed data from more than 460,000 adults over about 13 years and found the lowest risk of mood, stress, and anxiety disorders at two to three cups per day.
- The link followed a J-shaped pattern, with little benefit at very low intake and loss of benefit or possible higher risk beyond roughly three to five cups.
- Similar associations appeared for ground, instant, and decaffeinated coffee, which points to plant compounds such as chlorogenic acids rather than caffeine alone.
- Scientists cite plausible biological pathways that involve dopamine and serotonin activity and anti-inflammatory antioxidant effects.
- The authors and experts stress that the results are observational and say any benefit depends on healthy habits such as getting seven to eight hours of sleep.