Yesterday, we wrote about the bad news that a hot toddy will not help your cold. Today, we’re sharing the much happier news that coffee may add years to your life. So, this winter, you know which hot drink to reach for!
New research has found that the compounds and antioxidants in coffee protect telomeres that cover the ends of chromosomes. They are often compared to the plastic caps on shoelaces that stop them from unraveling. As a body ages, telomeres shorten as cells divide. Measuring telomere length can help gauge a person’s biological age. The loss can be accelerated because of oxidative stress.
The researchers said that the overall impact of coffee would vary based on how much a person drinks, how it’s brewed, and a person’s metabolism. But, coffee contains antioxidants that counter oxidative stress and prevent telomere shortening. The polyphenols in the coffee aid metabolism and inflammation, aiding telomere stability. Daily consumption of coffee means the compounds are constantly being put into the body’s system, potentially slowing aging.
As telomere length and oxidative stress have both been frequently linked to mental health concerns, the researchers also believe coffee may improve mental health. People with conditions like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder see much more rapid telomere shortening than people without mental health concerns.
Because people with mental health concerns are known to have faster declines in the length of their telomeres, the study followed 436 adults with mental health issues for a decade. People drank no coffee, one to two cups a day, three to four cups a day or five or more cups. They also considered people’s smoking habits, as smoking changes how rapidly a body processes caffeine.
The study used blood samples to measure telomere length. When accounting for smoking, people who drank three to four cups of coffee a day did the best. They had longer telomeres than non-coffee drinkers. And the people who had four cups a day had telomeres that were biologically five years younger than the non-coffee drinkers.
When stories like this come out, we always think it’s important to remind people that caffeine is a drug. If you are a daily coffee drinker and have no problems tolerating caffeine, this news may make you want to drink more of it. That’s great. If you don’t drink coffee, you shouldn’t start drinking four cups a day. That would be an awful lot of caffeine. You should talk to your doctor about what’s safe and healthy for you.
