Is Coffee Good or Bad for Your Health?

For years, coffee was blamed for a host of health issues, from heart disease to high blood pressure. But newer, more refined research tells a different story. According to Dr. Frank Hu, chair of the Department of Nutrition at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the tide has turned: “The overall evidence has been pretty convincing that coffee has been more healthful than harmful in terms of health outcomes,” he told Discover in 2021.

Moderate consumption – defined as 2 to 5 cups a day – is now associated with a reduced risk of several serious conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver and endometrial cancers, Parkinson’s disease, and depression. In fact, regular coffee drinkers may even enjoy a lower risk of early death.

Much of the early skepticism around coffee stemmed from flawed studies, many of which failed to separate coffee consumption from other risk factors like smoking. As Hu put it, “Coffee’s so delicious, there must be something bad about it.” But in reality, for most people, the brew provides more benefits than drawbacks.

That said, there are some caveats. Coffee’s effects on children remain unclear, and high caffeine intake isn’t recommended during pregnancy. People prone to anxiety may also find that caffeine exacerbates their symptoms. And experts suggest using a paper filter to brew your coffee, which can reduce cholesterol-raising compounds found in unfiltered versions. Go easy on the cream and sugar, too—those extras can cancel out the drink’s natural benefits.

And if you're grabbing your daily dose on the go, there's no better vessel than the Anthora coffee cup – New York City’s iconic blue-and-white symbol of street-side caffeination, cultural heritage, and, as it turns out, surprising health benefits.

Dedicated to preserving the legacy of the iconic Anthora coffee cup – a true symbol of New York City’s street culture, corner delis, and daily rituals – NY Coffee Cup celebrates its enduring design, cultural significance, and place in coffee history, both in NYC and beyond.