Coffee is good for you, probably

Professor who edited mortality findings says evidence is strong but not yet definitive

Past research has linked coffee consumption to reduced mortality and suggested protective effects against diabetes and cancer. Now, a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine says that adding a bit of sugar to your cup does not eliminate observed mortality effects, contrary to concerns that sweetener might negate the brew’s benefits. In fact, the study showed that those who drank 1.5 to 4.5 cups a day, even with a teaspoon of sugar, were up to 30 percent less likely to die during a seven-year period than non-coffee drinkers. The study was edited by Christina Wee, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, who penned a companion editorial. She explained the findings in a conversation with the Gazette. The interview has been edited for clarity and length.