Individuals who consumed more than six cups of coffee per day were found to have an elevated risk of experiencing depression and anxiety.
The research indicated that those who drank one to two cups of coffee daily had a decreased risk of developing depression and anxiety, albeit not to the same extent as those who consumed two to three cups daily. The study’s findings suggested that caffeine, a primary component of coffee, played a significant role in influencing mental health.
The study encompassed a participant pool of 152,821 individuals who completed online mental health questionnaires as part of the U.K. Biobank dataset—an extensive data repository containing information from over half a million adults drawn from the general population in the U.K.
Effects of Coffee Consumption on Depression and Anxiety: A Comprehensive Study
Data regarding coffee consumption was gleaned from online questionnaires completed between 2006 and 2010, while information on mental health disorders was sourced from various outlets, as outlined in the study.
Results of the study revealed that 81 percent of respondents reported consuming coffee. Within this group, 41 percent drank two to three cups of coffee daily, 28 percent consumed one cup, and the remainder exceeded three cups.
The researchers sought to determine whether the association between depression, anxiety, and coffee intake depended on coffee variations such as instant, ground, decaffeinated, and coffee additives like milk, sugar, sweeteners, and artificial sweeteners. The study’s outcomes remained consistent regardless of these customizations.
The findings indicated that consuming two to three cups of ground coffee daily was linked to a reduced risk of depression and anxiety compared to abstaining from coffee altogether. Furthermore, drinking two to three cups of instant coffee daily was associated with a decreased risk of depression but not anxiety. Consuming one to three cups of unsweetened coffee daily also correlated with a reduced risk of both depression and anxiety.
Conclusion
The study suggested that moderate coffee consumption could be a beneficial component of a healthy lifestyle for the prevention and management of depression and anxiety in the general population.
The researchers acknowledged certain limitations in their study, such as the self-reported nature of coffee consumption, which was recorded at a single point in time and could fluctuate over time, potentially impacting the results. Additionally, the study participants were questioned about various types of coffee but were categorized into a single coffee type, despite the likelihood of individuals consuming different types of coffee throughout the day.
