Sunday 12/April/2026 – 06:13 AM
A recent scientific study revealed that drinking moderate amounts of coffee daily is associated with a significant reduction in the risk of developing anxiety disorders and depression, providing an easy way to support mental health. After analyzing the dietary habits and health status of more than 400,000 men and women, researchers found that drinking 2 to 3 cups per day is associated with the lowest risk of developing anxiety and depression, and the protective effect resulting from drinking coffee against mood disorders was much stronger in men than in women. These results were published in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
Details of a Fudan University study on the benefits of drinking coffee
According to the journal Medical Moods by stimulating dopamine, a chemical involved in pleasure and motivation. Low levels of dopamine are often associated with fatigue, bad mood, and lack of motivation, so increasing it by drinking coffee can help people feel better.
Analyzing huge data to determine the ideal rate of drinking coffee
For many years, the scientific evidence was mixed and debated whether the drink really helps and, if so, in what amount. This study took a more nuanced view of the link as it relied on big data to accurately understand the link. The researchers turned to the UK Biobank, one of the largest medical databases in the world, and tracked the dietary habits of a number of people. 461,586 single Of the men and women who were initially mentally healthy over an average of 13 years, by the end of the study, more than 18,000 new cases of mood and stress disorders were recorded. The analysis revealed that moderate consumption of two to three 250-milliliter cups per day was associated with the lowest risk. In contrast, coffee drinking of 5 or more cups per day was associated with an increased risk of developing mood disorders.
Genetic factors and their impact on the results of drinking coffee
The team also examined whether genetics played a role by analyzing participants’ genetic scores to see how efficiently the body metabolizes caffeine and whether that affected the results. They found that these biological differences did not meaningfully alter the positive association. These findings could guide doctors in their conversations with patients about lifestyle and diet choices. At the same time, drinking coffee is not a one-size-fits-all solution as individuals vary in their sensitivity to caffeine and may experience nervousness, insomnia, or rapid heartbeat even at low levels of consumption.
