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 [Harvard Health Publishing ](https://www.health.harvard.edu/) [Harvard Health Publishing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/) [HarvardHealthOnline+](https://www.health.harvard.edu/hho-plus?utm_source=site&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=top_button) Search [Customer Service](https://www.health.harvard.edu/customer-service) [Content Licensing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/licensing) [About Us](https://www.health.harvard.edu/about-us) [Log In](https://www.health.harvard.edu/login) Open mobile menu [Free HealthBeat Signup](https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat) Shop [Subscriptions](https://www.health.harvard.edu/subscribe) [Special Health Reports](https://www.health.harvard.edu/special-health-reports) [Online Courses](https://www.harvardhealthonlinelearning.com/catalog) [Pay Subscription Bill](https://www.health.harvard.edu/pay-bill) [Common Conditions](https://www.health.harvard.edu/category/common-conditions) [Staying Healthy](https://www.health.harvard.edu/category/staying-healthy) [Resources](https://www.health.harvard.edu/resources) [Blog](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog) [COVID-19 Updates](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/coronavirus-resource-center) Close menu [HarvardHealthOnline+](https://www.health.harvard.edu/hho-plus?utm_source=site&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=mobile_button) ## Main Content - [Common Conditions](https://www.health.harvard.edu/category/common-conditions) - [Staying Healthy](https://www.health.harvard.edu/category/staying-healthy) - [Resources](https://www.health.harvard.edu/resources) - [Blog](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog) ## Helpful Links - [Customer Service](https://www.health.harvard.edu/customer-service) - [About Us](https://www.health.harvard.edu/about-us) - [Content Licensing](https://www.health.harvard.edu/licensing) - [Free Healthbeat Signup](https://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat) - [Subscriptions](https://www.health.harvard.edu/subscribe) - [Special Health Reports](https://www.health.harvard.edu/special-health-reports) - [Online Courses](https://www.harvardhealthonlinelearning.com/) - [Pay Subscription Bill](https://www.health.harvard.edu/pay-bill) Close Recent Articles [ Trying to lose weight? Be careful not to lose muscle](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/trying-to-lose-weight-be-careful-not-to-lose-muscle) [ Is your skin problem actually an autoimmune condition?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/is-your-skin-problem-actually-an-autoimmune-condition) [ People with diabetes face higher risk of hearing loss](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/people-with-diabetes-face-higher-risk-of-hearing-loss) [ Antibiotic-free fixes for recurrent UTIs](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/antibiotic-free-fixes-for-recurrent-utis) [ Musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause: When menopause makes you ache all over](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/musculoskeletal-syndrome-of-menopause-when-menopause-makes-you-ache-all-over) [ When can older women stop getting mammograms?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/when-can-older-women-stop-getting-mammograms) [ To lose weight, especially harmful belly fat, combine diet and exercise](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/to-lose-weight-especially-harmful-belly-fat-combine-diet-and-exercise) [ Can men hold off on treating recurring prostate cancer?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-men-hold-off-on-treating-recurring-prostate-cancer-202512193108) [ The 7 types of rest and why we need them all](https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/the-7-types-of-rest-and-why-we-need-them-all) [ What are the early warning signs of cervical cancer?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/cancer/what-are-the-early-warning-signs-of-cervical-cancer) / [Staying Healthy](https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/staying-healthy) # Moderate amounts of coffee are the best ## In the journals November 1, 2020 Share [Share this page to Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fstaying-healthy%2Fmoderate-amounts-of-coffee-are-the-best&display=popup) [Share this page to X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fstaying-healthy%2Fmoderate-amounts-of-coffee-are-the-best&text=Moderate%20amounts%20of%20coffee%20are%20the%20best%20-%20Harvard%20Health&tw_p=tweetbutton&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fstaying-healthy%2Fmoderate-amounts-of-coffee-are-the-best) [Share this page via Email](<mailto:?subject=Great health news for you from the experts at Harvard&body=Check out this link from Harvard Health: Moderate amounts of coffee are the best - https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/moderate-amounts-of-coffee-are-the-best>) Copy this page to clipboard Print This Page Click to Print  Coffee has had a hot-and-cold reputation when it comes to health benefits. Drinking two to five daily cups of coffee may protect against heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers, but too much can cause problems like anxiety, nervousness, and insomnia. Now, a review of existing research suggests that a moderate approach to coffee is the best medicine. The results were published July 23, 2020, in *The New England Journal of Medicine*. Based on their review of 95 studies, the authors suggest limiting total caffeine consumption from all beverages, including coffee, to 400 milligrams per day. That's equal to about four to five 8-ounce cups of most regular coffees. This amount helps people get much of the benefit of coffee but with a lower risk of caffeine's side effects, according to the researchers. Scientists can't say for sure why coffee is healthy. Given that the benefits are more strongly related to coffee compared with other caffeinated drinks, they likely result from ingredients in coffee other than caffeine. Coffee also contains a combination of phytochemicals, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin B, all of which have shown to lower oxidative stress and improve metabolism. The experts pointed out that some people metabolize caffeine faster than others, and thus can consume higher amounts of coffee with no problems. In any case, keeping tabs on your daily cups of joe can ensure your health gets a jolt without overdoing it. **Image: © mediaphotos/Getty Images** Share [Share this page to Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fstaying-healthy%2Fmoderate-amounts-of-coffee-are-the-best&display=popup) [Share this page to X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fstaying-healthy%2Fmoderate-amounts-of-coffee-are-the-best&text=Moderate%20amounts%20of%20coffee%20are%20the%20best%20-%20Harvard%20Health&tw_p=tweetbutton&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.health.harvard.edu%2Fstaying-healthy%2Fmoderate-amounts-of-coffee-are-the-best) [Share this page via Email](<mailto:?subject=Great health news for you from the experts at Harvard&body=Check out this link from Harvard Health: Moderate amounts of coffee are the best - https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/moderate-amounts-of-coffee-are-the-best>) Copy this page to clipboard Print This Page Click to Print ## Disclaimer: As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician. Recent Articles [ Trying to lose weight? Be careful not to lose muscle](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/trying-to-lose-weight-be-careful-not-to-lose-muscle) [ Is your skin problem actually an autoimmune condition?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/is-your-skin-problem-actually-an-autoimmune-condition) [ People with diabetes face higher risk of hearing loss](https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/people-with-diabetes-face-higher-risk-of-hearing-loss) [ Antibiotic-free fixes for recurrent UTIs](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/antibiotic-free-fixes-for-recurrent-utis) [ Musculoskeletal syndrome of menopause: When menopause makes you ache all over](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/musculoskeletal-syndrome-of-menopause-when-menopause-makes-you-ache-all-over) [ When can older women stop getting mammograms?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/when-can-older-women-stop-getting-mammograms) [ To lose weight, especially harmful belly fat, combine diet and exercise](https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/to-lose-weight-especially-harmful-belly-fat-combine-diet-and-exercise) [ Can men hold off on treating recurring prostate cancer?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-men-hold-off-on-treating-recurring-prostate-cancer-202512193108) [ The 7 types of rest and why we need them all](https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/the-7-types-of-rest-and-why-we-need-them-all) [ What are the early warning signs of cervical cancer?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/cancer/what-are-the-early-warning-signs-of-cervical-cancer) / ## Related Topics [ Cancer How many servings of cruciferous vegetables should you eat to fight colon cancer?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/cancer/how-many-servings-of-cruciferous-vegetables-should-you-eat-to-fight-colon-cancer) [ Women's Health What raises your risk for gynecologic cancer?](https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/what-raises-your-risk-for-gynecologic-cancer) [ Cancer DASH diet tied to lower colorectal cancer risk](https://www.health.harvard.edu/cancer/dash-diet-tied-to-lower-colorectal-cancer-risk) [Cancer](https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/cancer) [Diabetes](https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/diabetes) [Heart Disease](https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/heart-disease) [Nutrition](https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/nutrition) [Vitamins & Supplements](https://www.health.harvard.edu/topics/vitamins-and-supplements) ## Free Healthbeat Signup Get the latest in health news delivered to your inbox\! 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 Coffee has had a hot-and-cold reputation when it comes to health benefits. Drinking two to five daily cups of coffee may protect against heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers, but too much can cause problems like anxiety, nervousness, and insomnia. Now, a review of existing research suggests that a moderate approach to coffee is the best medicine. The results were published July 23, 2020, in *The New England Journal of Medicine*. Based on their review of 95 studies, the authors suggest limiting total caffeine consumption from all beverages, including coffee, to 400 milligrams per day. That's equal to about four to five 8-ounce cups of most regular coffees. This amount helps people get much of the benefit of coffee but with a lower risk of caffeine's side effects, according to the researchers. Scientists can't say for sure why coffee is healthy. Given that the benefits are more strongly related to coffee compared with other caffeinated drinks, they likely result from ingredients in coffee other than caffeine. Coffee also contains a combination of phytochemicals, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin B, all of which have shown to lower oxidative stress and improve metabolism. The experts pointed out that some people metabolize caffeine faster than others, and thus can consume higher amounts of coffee with no problems. In any case, keeping tabs on your daily cups of joe can ensure your health gets a jolt without overdoing it. **Image: © mediaphotos/Getty Images**