Coffee contains antioxidants and other beneficial compounds that, in small amounts, may help reduce inflammation and manage some health conditions. But it can have negative effects if you drink too much each day.

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages worldwide.

It’s rich in an array of beneficial compounds that may help maintain optimal health and protect you from certain conditions.

Coffee is also thought to help reduce inflammation, at least in some people.

This article reviews coffee’s effects on inflammation, as well as whether decaffeinated coffee has the same effects.

Regular coffee contains a complex mixture of active compounds, including caffeine, chlorogenic acid (CGA), cafestol, trigonelline, and kahweol. Decaffeinated coffee contains the same compounds, although it contains little to no caffeine.

Studies suggest that the compounds in coffee have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may benefit your health.

Experts believe that their presence may explain why drinking coffee — whether it’s regular or decaf — is often linked to a lower risk of illnesses, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and possibly even certain types of cancer.

SUMMARY

Coffee contains active compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce low grade inflammation and protect against certain diseases.

Current research suggests that coffee may help reduce inflammation, at least in certain individuals.

In one study, regular coffee drinkers had lower levels of inflammatory markers than non-regular coffee drinkers.

A 2018 review of studies found that people who regularly drank coffee were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than people who did not drink coffee.

However, some evidence suggests that coffee may increase inflammation in some people. Therefore, individual differences in genetics or other factors likely influence coffee’s effect on inflammation.

Inflammation can lead to a variety of effects, including frequent infections, fatigue, pain, and digestive problems. If you experience any of these while drinking coffee, consider reducing your intake to see whether doing so helps.

SUMMARY

Coffee may help reduce inflammation in most people. However, some people may experience increased inflammation following coffee consumption. If this applies to you, consider reducing your intake.

There aren’t many studies comparing the effects of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee on inflammation.

Decaffeinated coffee contains the same beneficial compounds as coffee, except for caffeine.

As such, it may be expected to offer the same anti-inflammatory benefits as regular coffee. Still, more research is necessary to confirm this.

SUMMARY

Decaffeinated coffee is likely to have the same inflammation-lowering effects as regular coffee. However, more studies are necessary to confirm this before strong conclusions can be made.

Coffee is a popular beverage that’s rich in antioxidants and other beneficial compounds.

Research suggests that drinking coffee may help reduce inflammation. In turn, this may lower your risk of certain conditions, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even certain types of cancer.

However, coffee may increase inflammation in some people. If you suspect this is the case for you, consider reducing or limiting your coffee intake to evaluate whether doing so improves any of your inflammation-related symptoms.