'Three Cups a Day' Coffee Linked to Higher Muscle Mass... Seoul National University College of Medicine Study
by Kim Hyunjeong1
Published 27 Apr.2026 18:23(KST)
Seoul National University Team Analyzes 15,447 Adults
Higher Muscle Mass in Those Drinking Three Cups of Coffee a Day; Lower Body Fat Observed in Women
"Correlation, Not Causation... Further Research Needed for Verification"
A domestic study has found that people who drink coffee three times a day have more muscle mass than those who do not. However, the researchers emphasized that this is a correlation rather than a causal relationship, and additional studies are needed.
According to Yonhap News on April 27, a research team led by Professor Park Sangmin at Seoul National University College of Medicine analyzed data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2008 and 2011 and identified a significant correlation between coffee consumption frequency and muscle mass-related indicators.
The team analyzed 15,447 adults aged 20 and older with available data from both whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans and coffee consumption information.
The researchers compared the relationship between coffee consumption frequency and body composition indicators such as appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) and lean body mass index (LBMI). The lean body mass index reflects the weight of everything except body fat (such as muscle, bone, and organs) and indicates muscle mass relative to body size. As a result, men who drank coffee three times a day showed higher ASMI and LBMI than those who drank less than once a day.
The same trend was observed among women. Women who drank coffee three times a day also had higher ASMI and LBMI than those who drank less than once a day. In particular, women who drank coffee three times a day tended to have a lower fat mass index (FMI).
The researchers noted that this study demonstrates biological mechanisms related to caffeine’s effect on energy metabolism, fat oxidation, and muscle function. However, they added that it is difficult to conclude that coffee intake directly caused changes in body composition.
Jeong Jina, the first author of the study, said, "Through this research, we found that coffee consumption frequency may be associated with body composition indicators, especially those related to muscle mass, in Korean adults," adding, "We plan to continue follow-up studies."
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