Between the coffee swallowed in a hurry before taking the children to school and the espresso at the end of the day in front of the computer, the day of an average French person is often punctuated by several cups. We talk a lot about the number of coffees to limit, less about another detail that is nevertheless intriguing for health: the time at which we drink them. In January 2025, the European Society of Cardiology presented a large American study published in theEuropean Heart Journaldedicated to the link between coffee time and mortality. Researchers wondered whether coffee taken very early, mid-morning or late afternoon had the same influence on our heart.
Coffee and life expectancy: what we already knew
For a long time, coffee was mainly studied for its composition: low in calories, rich in polyphenols, antioxidants and diuretics. Numerous data show that regular consumption is associated with a lower risk of certain cancers and neurodegenerative diseases. In other words, taken in moderation, this little morning cup already ranks among the drinks that are rather favorable to health.
Health authorities recommend not exceeding 2 to 3 cups per day, i.e. 400 mg of caffeine for an adult, and 200 mg for a pregnant woman, thresholds set by the AEuropean Food Safety Authority. Until now, we mainly focused on these quantities. The new study adds an additional dimension: timing.
The best time to drink coffee, according to American study
The study, called Coffee drinking timing and mortality in US adultsis based on data from 40,725 adults followed in the American NHANES survey between 1999 and 2018. Participants detailed their coffee consumption habits, hour by hour, then their health status was followed for almost ten years. The authors then compared risk of death and consumption times.
Two profiles appeared. “Morning drinkers,” who drink their coffee between 4 a.m. and 11:59 a.m., had a 16% lower risk of overall mortality and a 31% lower risk of death from cardiovascular disease compared to non-drinkers. In those who sipped coffee all day, this benefit disappeared. Researchers suggest that late intake disrupts the internal clock, melatonin and promotes diabetes, high cholesterol, blood pressure or inflammation.
“Drinking coffee in the morning may be more strongly associated with lower mortality risk than drinking coffee later in the day“, the researchers concluded.
Adapt your morning coffee to your daily life
In practice, researchers recommend concentrating consumption between waking up and before 12 p.m., staying around 2 or 3 cups, then avoiding coffee in the afternoon and evening.
Some simple guidelines:
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Coffee when you wake up or in the morning;
- Coffee after lunch to be limited;
- Avoid the 4 p.m. espresso.