While many enjoy their coffee with plenty of milk and sugar, others opt to take a different approach known as black coffee which provides some significant health advantages. When someone consumes their beverage unadulterated they gain access to all the antioxidants and caffeine present within the drink – this allows for greater access to health benefits including lower risks of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Tufts University recently conducted a groundbreaking research study that revealed people who regularly drink black coffee have lower mortality rates; however, its benefits become diminished for those who add significant amounts of sugar and saturated fat to their coffee. Researchers discovered the most positive results were seen when individuals drank two to three cups per day; those doing so experienced 16% fewer risks related to death from all causes combined and 18% reduced risks from cardiovascular disease alone; benefits were even evident among those already having atrial fibrillation, an irregular heart rhythm disorder.

Study participants reported their daily coffee intake and what went into it for 12 years, including any added sugar and saturated fat content. According to research findings, black coffee without added sugar and saturated fat had lower mortality rates than those who consumed white coffee with steamed milk; those drinking three or more cups saw no further reduction in mortality rates – perhaps due to its stimulating properties which help improve concentration and energy levels.

Studies involving 1,500+ participants demonstrated that those who consumed three or more cups of coffee daily were 27% less likely to develop type 2 diabetes, an important result since people who suffer from this condition are at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease death than their non-diabetic peers. Researchers believe the high level of antioxidants present in coffee may account for its protective qualities.

Coffee may also offer other health benefits that help people lose weight, according to one recent study. People who regularly consumed caffeinated beverages – like coffee – lost more weight than those who didn’t doze off on caffeine-containing drinks due to improved digestion, reduced stomachaches, better sleeping patterns and an increase in energy levels.

While the new study is intriguing, it should be remembered that researchers were unable to pinpoint why those who regularly consumed black coffee experienced lower mortality rates than others. Also, they weren’t able to control for other factors that might have played into this finding – for this reason it is still essential to consult your physician on whether you should start or stop drinking coffee regularly.