Quick answer: The benefits of coffee for men are mostly the same as for everyone: better alertness and exercise performance, and lower risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and liver conditions. A few findings come from studies of men specifically, including lower risk of gout and kidney stones. Evidence on erectile dysfunction is weak, and coffee does not appear to protect against prostate cancer.
Most coffee research covers men and women together, and the benefits largely overlap. Below we separate what’s well supported, what comes from studies of men, and what doesn’t hold up. As always, moderation matters. See how much coffee is too much for the limits.
| Benefit for men | What the evidence shows |
|---|---|
| Alertness and focus | Well supported |
| Exercise performance | Well supported |
| Type 2 diabetes, heart, liver | Consistent observational evidence (men and women) |
| Gout | Lower risk in a large study of men |
| Kidney stones | Lower risk with higher caffeine intake, including in men |
| Safer long drives | Lower crash risk in long-distance drivers |
| Erectile dysfunction | One cross-sectional study; not proven |
| Prostate cancer | No causal link found |
In this guide 11 sections
- Does coffee help with erectile dysfunction?
- 1. Better alertness and focus
- 2. Better workouts
- 3. Lower risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and liver conditions
- 4. Does coffee lower the risk of gout in men?
- 5. Lower risk of kidney stones
- 6. Staying alert on long drives
- 7. Mood
- Does coffee prevent prostate cancer?
- How much coffee should men drink?
- Frequently asked questions
Does coffee help with erectile dysfunction?
The evidence is thin. In a cross-sectional analysis of US NHANES data, men whose caffeine intake was about 85–303 mg a day were less likely to report erectile dysfunction than men consuming almost none. The link was seen in overweight and hypertensive men but not in men with diabetes. A snapshot study like this can’t show that coffee prevents ED, and the authors called for prospective research. If ED is a concern, see a doctor, since it can be an early sign of heart or blood-vessel problems.
1. Better alertness and focus
Caffeine blocks adenosine, the brain chemical that builds up and makes you sleepy. The International Society of Sports Nutrition concludes that caffeine improves attention and vigilance in most people, and may help when you’re short on sleep.
2. Better workouts
According to the same ISSN position stand, caffeine improves physical performance in both trained and untrained people. Doses studied are typically 3–6 mg per kg of body weight. Black coffee is a simple, almost calorie-free alternative to sugary pre-workout drinks.
3. Lower risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and liver conditions
These benefits apply to men and women alike. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health reports that habitual coffee drinkers have lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Harvard also says regular coffee drinking may lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. A BMJ umbrella review linked coffee with lower risk of liver conditions and found the largest cardiovascular benefit at three to four cups a day. Our hub page, is coffee good for you?, covers the full evidence.
4. Does coffee lower the risk of gout in men?
It appears to. In a prospective study of nearly 46,000 men, long-term coffee drinking was linked to lower risk of gout. Men drinking 4–5 cups a day had about 40% lower risk than non-drinkers, and those drinking 6 or more cups had about 59% lower risk. Decaf showed a smaller link, and tea showed none.
5. Lower risk of kidney stones
In three large US cohorts, people with the highest caffeine intake had a lower risk of kidney stones. In the men’s cohort, the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, the risk was 26% lower. This held after adjusting for total fluid intake. Coffee also makes you urinate more; see is coffee a diuretic?
6. Staying alert on long drives
In a BMJ case-control study of long-distance commercial drivers, drivers who used caffeinated drinks to stay awake were 63% less likely to crash. Caffeine helps, but it’s no replacement for rest when you’re drowsy.
7. Mood
Harvard reports that moderate coffee intake (under 6 cups a day) has been associated with lower risk of depression. This is an association. Coffee is not a treatment for depression.
Does coffee prevent prostate cancer?
Probably not. A 2021 study combining NHANES data with Mendelian randomization found no association between coffee and prostate cancer and did not support a causal link. More broadly, the BMJ review found high versus low coffee intake associated with an 18% lower risk of cancer overall, but that comes from observational studies.
How much coffee should men drink?
The FDA cites 400 mg of caffeine a day for healthy adults as an amount not generally associated with negative effects. That’s roughly two to three 12-ounce cups of brewed coffee. If you have high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems, anxiety or trouble sleeping, MedlinePlus suggests checking with your doctor. To get the most from your cup, brew it the healthiest way.
Frequently asked questions
Is coffee good for men?
For most healthy men, moderate coffee drinking appears more likely to help than harm. The main benefits are alertness, exercise performance and lower risk of several chronic diseases. Men-specific findings include lower gout and kidney stone risk.
Does coffee raise testosterone?
We couldn’t find good evidence that it does, so we don’t claim it.
Is coffee good for women too?
Yes. Most of these benefits apply to everyone, with some extra considerations around pregnancy. See benefits of coffee for women.
This article is for general information and isn’t medical advice.
It’s really interesting to learn that coffee can actually really help men that are struggling with ED. My spouse and I are trying to get a new coffee maker in our home. We both really like to drink coffee in the mornings to feel more energized.
I found it interesting when you said that coffee can improve cognitive health issues. Since my new job has me waking up really early, I need to drink a lot more coffee to help me be ready for the day. I’ll have to find a good coffee that I like to consistently drink in the morning.
Coffee in the morning is always a good idea! Please let me know if you need any good reccomendations.
Awesome post! Thanks for sharing. Coffee is really good for health. It helps us to feel more energized and also boosts longevity. We should start our day with one cup of coffee.
Thanks for helping me understand the benefits of drinking coffee. I find it amazing to learn that drinking this regularly lessens the risk of someone developing depression and type 2 diabetes. My friend saw a couple of flyers regarding a monthly coffee subscription, and he got curious about how this could benefit him. I’ll share this with him so he’d consider taking advantage of that subscription.
The benefits of caffeinated coffee are certainly known.
I wonder if decaffeinated coffee offers similar health benefits, I.e. antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities.
Great news for a great tasting beverage!
I will have to do some research and read up on medical studies to write an article about the health benefits of decaffeinated coffee! I’ll send you an email once I’ve written it!
I had no idea that drinking coffee every morning can help keep away the effects of aging, and it could also use the contaminants present in the drink to lessen the risk of him developing cancer. My friend told me that he’s feeling the effects of his age, and he’d want to look for something that can help retain his youth. I’ll be sure to share this with him so he’d consider visiting a nearby cafe for his daily morning coffee.
Very useful article for me, Thank you.
I love my espresso in the morning at lunch and after dinner it helps me digest
It’s valuable that you mention that drinking coffee can improve your ability to concentrate. My job requires a lot of concentration, so I’m thinking about buying some coffee to drink in the mornings. I’m going to search for a good business that can sell me some coffee.
It’s great that you mention that coffee can be used to improve your memory. Memory is very important for the job that I do, so I’m considering buying a coffee brewer for my home. I’m going to look for a good business that can sell me a coffee brewer.