Your daily coffee ritual could be doing more than just waking you up—it might be slowing down your body's internal clock. Groundbreaking research suggests that moderate coffee consumption could potentially add years to your life by affecting cellular ageing.
The Telomere Connection
Scientists have discovered that drinking up to four cups of coffee daily appears to slow biological ageing by lengthening telomeres. These protective structures sit at the ends of chromosomes, functioning much like the plastic tips on shoelaces that prevent fraying.
Shorter telomere length is strongly associated with higher risks of age-related diseases and serves as a key marker for cellular ageing. The study, published in BMJ Mental Health, specifically examined how coffee affects ageing in people living with severe mental health conditions.
Moderation is Key
Researchers analysed data from 436 adult participants in the Norwegian Thematically Organised Psychosis (TOP) study. The cohort included 259 people with schizophrenia and 177 with affective disorders such as bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder with psychosis.
Participants were categorised into four groups based on their daily coffee intake: zero cups, one to two cups, three to four cups, and five or more cups. Using blood samples, scientists measured telomere length in white blood cells while accounting for factors including age, sex, ethnicity, tobacco use, specific mental health conditions, and medication.
The results showed that those consuming three to four cups of coffee daily had telomere lengths comparable to a biological age five years younger than non-coffee drinkers. This aligns perfectly with NHS guidelines that recommend consuming no more than 400mg of caffeine daily—equivalent to approximately four cups of coffee.
The Reverse Effect of Excessive Consumption
Beyond the four-cup threshold, the study found no additional benefits. More concerningly, participants who drank five or more cups daily showed evidence of cellular damage, highlighting that moderation is crucial.
Study authors emphasised: "In moderation, coffee consumption might have a positive effect but has a reverse effect in large doses. Coffee consumption up to the limit of recommended cups per day was associated with a five-year younger biological age compared with non-coffee drinkers."
Researchers suggest that coffee's powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds are likely responsible for these anti-ageing benefits. Telomeres are particularly sensitive to both oxidative stress and inflammation, making coffee's protective properties especially relevant for populations predisposed to accelerated ageing, such as those with major psychiatric disorders.
However, Dr Elizabeth Akam, Senior Teaching Fellow in Biosciences at Loughborough University, who was not involved in the study, noted an important limitation. She suggested future research should measure specific coffee compounds in the bloodstream, stating: "A noteworthy limitation of this study is that it treats 'coffee' as if it were a single substance. However, coffee contains many different compounds, and we don't know which of these were administered, in what doses, or how much actually ended up in the bloodstream."
The findings offer promising insights into how simple dietary choices might help combat cellular ageing, particularly for vulnerable populations, while reinforcing the importance of adhering to established health guidelines.
