By The European Times | Created at 2026-07-29 10:17:45 | Updated at 2026-08-08 11:23:58
1 week ago
The benefits of coffee consumption have been talked about for a long time. And we already know that they are far from just one or two. Just some of them are longevity and a reduced risk of atrial fibrillation – a permanent heart rhythm disorder that more and more people suffer from.
Another common reaction of the body that can lead to a deterioration in our health is stress. But fortunately, it turns out that coffee can help with this too. According to scientists, drinking a certain amount of coffee can actually reduce stress and also improve mood. And as with many other things, here too it is all a matter of the “golden mean” in the amount consumed.
The study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, involved 460,000 people, whose self-assessment of coffee intake and subsequent medical records were reviewed for a period of about 13 years. The data shows that those who drink coffee daily—specifically, between two and three cups—have a lower risk profile for developing mood disorders (i.e., depression or bipolar disorder) and stress-related disorders (i.e., anxiety or adjustment disorder) compared to people who don’t drink coffee at all.
Regarding the link between coffee consumption and mental health, it’s striking that the reduced risk increased when the beverage was introduced into daily life and was around two to three cups per day. At the same time, at five or more cups per day, the benefits decrease and the risk of mood disorders increases. This observation “is consistent with what is observed clinically when caffeine becomes excessive,” Dr. Kira Bobine, a behavioral health expert, tells Prevention.
It’s also important to clarify that the study participants drank one of three types of coffee: instant, ground, or decaffeinated. And it was found that the benefits were not observed in decaffeinated coffee drinkers. In addition, the researchers took into account other factors, such as the age, gender, ethnicity, education and socioeconomic status of the participants, as well as smoking, alcohol and tea consumption, sleep, physical activity, body mass index, hypertension and type 2 diabetes. The scientists also noted the participants’ genetics and caffeine metabolism, which ultimately had no influence.
It is also important to clarify that given that coffee consumption was self-reported, there is a possibility of bias and error in the findings. Therefore, they simply show a relationship between the two variables – coffee consumption and mood disorders/stress levels.
How coffee can reduce stress
The benefits of drinking coffee on reducing stress and improving mood are related to the antioxidant content of the caffeinated beverage. And it can help fight inflammation and therefore diseases of all kinds.
“Coffee is much more than caffeine – it contains hundreds of bioactive compounds, including polyphenols and chlorogenic acids, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and may support brain health over time,” says Dr. Bobine. He adds that the link between coffee consumption and a lower risk of mental health problems could be explained by its effects even on kidney and liver function, as well as fat metabolism, as these are processes that the antioxidants in coffee support.
From a neurobiological perspective, caffeine primarily blocks adenosine (A1 and A2A) receptors in the brain, which indirectly enhances dopamine signaling. And dopamine, as we well know, is known as the “happy hormone” and is involved in many major executive functions. “This can significantly improve alertness, motivation and perceived energy, felt as improved mood and stress resistance,” concludes Dr. Bobine.
Still, the benefits of coffee consumption for mood and stress do not mean a green light to treat depression with the caffeinated beverage. It is one of many factors in our lifestyle, and moderate consumption can be just one part of healthy habits.
Illustrative photo: pexels-magda-ehlers-pexels-4098874
