Compounds & interventions

Coffee

Public Health · covered by 23 outlets this week · tracked since 2026-10-27

Press: 25 mainstream 24 specialist 23 independent outlet-days

What it is

Evidence 5/10 · mixed or limited trials Signals · signals observed in trials

Coffee is the world's most widely drunk source of caffeine, a stimulant that blocks the brain's adenosine receptors and briefly raises alertness and heart rate. Large observational studies link moderate drinking with lower rates of type 2 diabetes, liver disease and early death, but they cannot rule out that healthier people simply drink more of it. Current coverage centres on gut effects, sleep, pregnancy limits and caffeine hidden in energy drinks and supplements.

Benefits for diabetes, liver and mortality rest mainly on large observational cohorts; trials are short and test markers rather than disease.

  • RegulatorThe US FDA and the European Food Safety Authority cite about 400 mg of caffeine a day as a level not generally associated with harm in healthy adults, and lower amounts in pregnancy.
  • TrialShort trials show caffeine raises blood pressure acutely and disturbs sleep when taken late in the day.
  • MarketCaffeine is also sold in energy drinks and stimulant supplements, which the American Heart Association's 2026 congress linked to heart-attack reports.

Written by the Alivewire editors from the coverage below, 16h ago; rated 16h ago. Not medical advice; how the ratings work.

Coverage