ByDR. GALINA SHENKERMAN, TAL ALTERJUNE 2, 2026 12:00There is no secret that drinking water is essential for health, but a new study found that adding coffee and tea to your daily drinking routine could be even more beneficial and may help you live longer.When you combine the drinking of beverages rich in antioxidants like coffee and tea, you grant your body support at the cellular level. After analyzing the data, the scientists found that people who consumed between seven and eight drinks a day, including water, coffee, and tea, were at the lowest risk of death from any cause, as published in the British Journal of Nutrition, which is published by Cambridge University.The most beneficial combination in beverage consumption was found in the surprising mix of drinking two cups of coffee and three cups of tea a day, which reduced the risk of death by 45%.While many studies have examined the effects of coffee and tea separately, the authors of the new study sought to understand specifically what their combined effect is.To this end, they analyzed data from 182,770 adults from the British UK Biobank database. The participants were followed for about 13 years, during which they filled out detailed questionnaires about their daily consumption of coffee, tea, and water, alongside additional lifestyle habits and medical history.But beyond the question of how long we will live, it turns out that this habit may also affect one of the most important metrics for long–term health: Metabolic health.So how many cups should you really drink per day and which beverages?Perfect combinationDrinking water is a foundation for health, but when you also combine coffee and tea, a significant addition of antioxidants is obtained, which may affect metabolic processes in the body. These antioxidants, led by polyphenols, assist in reducing inflammation and oxidative stress – a state of imbalance between the production of free radicals and the body's ability to neutralize them.You don't need to choose (credit: Image processing by WALLA!, SHUTTERSTOCK)These are two central mechanisms in the development of metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.Metabolic diseases do not only affect sugar levels or weight. They are also linked to an increase in the risk of heart disease, a decrease in daily energy, and even an acceleration of aging processes. Therefore, beverages that support the reduction of inflammation, improvement of insulin sensitivity, and vascular health, may contribute not only to longevity, but also to the quality of life.What is in coffee and tea?In coffee one can find chlorogenic acid, a compound that has been linked to reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and improving metabolic processes.Tea, on the other hand, contains catechins, antioxidants that may reduce inflammation, improve metabolism, and even support weight loss. The combination between the two creates a cumulative effect, which can support various systems in the body, especially those related to metabolism.Of course in everything, here too there is a limit. Excess consumption of caffeine can cause symptoms such as heart palpitations, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Excessive drinking of water can also harm the electrolyte balance in the body.The bottom lineThe combination of water, coffee, and tea not only helps to keep the body hydrated, but may also support metabolic health, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and perhaps even contribute to longevity.In other words: Not only how much you drink, but also what you drink can affect your health in the long run. However, the study can only show a correlation between coffee and tea consumption and a lower risk of death. It does not prove that drinking these beverages causes you to live longer. And that is an important difference.Dr. Galina Shenkerman is a specialist in endocrinology and internal medicine and a medical director at MEDBALANCE – a center for the treatment of metabolic diseases. Tal Alter is a naturopath N.D C.H, team leader of naturopaths at MEDBALANCE, a center for the treatment of metabolic diseases.Follow us on Google