Eating a diet rich in polyphenols, found in foods such as berries, apples, coffee, cocoa and tea, could halve the risk of unhealthy cell ageing, according to new research. The study, presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, found that high polyphenol consumption was associated with a 52% lower risk of having short telomeres—the protective caps on DNA that shorten with age and are linked to age-related diseases.
Researchers from the University of Navarra in Spain analysed data from over 1,700 adults, measuring telomere length in 2008 and again in 2015. They found that moderate coffee consumption (up to one cup per day) was linked to a 26% lower risk of short telomeres compared with non-coffee drinkers, while eating four to five servings of fruit daily was associated with a 29% lower risk.
However, other polyphenol-rich foods such as olive oil, red wine and vegetables were not observed to affect telomere length. The study's lead author, Isabella Kury Guzmán, said: 'Our findings point to a broader message: a diet rich in polyphenols, including foods like fruits and coffee, may be one piece of the puzzle in supporting healthier cellular ageing.'
Experts have urged caution. Professor Gunter Kuhnle from the University of Reading noted that measuring polyphenol intake is difficult and that the benefits may stem from an overall healthy diet rather than polyphenols specifically. Nevertheless, the study adds to evidence that plant-based diets support healthier ageing.
