Drinking coffee could add almost two years of healthy living to one’s life, according to a new study that reviewed previously published research.
A comprehensive review published in the journal Ageing Research Reviews by researchers at the University of Coimbra in Portugal suggests that regular coffee consumption may add nearly two years of healthy living to an individual’s life. The study analyzed data from over 85 previous studies involving hundreds of thousands of participants worldwide, examining the relationship between coffee intake and various health outcomes.
Key Findings
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Extended Healthspan: Regular consumption of coffee was associated with an average increase of 1.8 years in healthy living, meaning individuals not only lived longer but also enjoyed more years free from serious diseases.
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Optimal Consumption: The most significant health benefits were observed in individuals who consumed approximately three cups of coffee per day.
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Disease Risk Reduction: Regular coffee intake was linked to a decreased risk of several chronic conditions, including cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers, stroke, type 2 diabetes, dementia, depression, and frailty.
Mechanisms Behind the Benefits
Coffee contains over 2,000 bioactive compounds, including antioxidants and polyphenols, which may contribute to its health-promoting effects. These compounds can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, factors involved in aging and chronic disease development.
Additionally, coffee’s polyphenols act as prebiotics, supporting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. A healthy gut microbiome plays a crucial role in digestion, immune function, and overall well-being.
Considerations and Recommendations
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Moderation is Key: While moderate coffee consumption offers health benefits, excessive intake can lead to adverse effects like anxiety and insomnia. The FDA recommends limiting caffeine intake to 400 mg per day, roughly equivalent to four 8-ounce cups of brewed coffee.
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Individual Differences: Responses to caffeine can vary based on genetics, age, and health status. Individuals with certain medical conditions or sensitivities should consult healthcare providers regarding coffee consumption.
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Preparation Matters: The method of coffee preparation can influence its health effects. For instance, unfiltered coffee may raise LDL cholesterol levels due to the presence of certain compounds.
The study, published in Ageing Research Reviews journal, found that the benefits of drinking coffee “correspond to an average increase in healthspan of 1.8 years.” Researchers from Portugal suggested that as the global population ages, regular, moderate consumption of coffee could play an important role in supporting a healthy and balanced lifestyle.
“We know that the world’s population is aging faster than ever, which is why it’s increasingly important to explore dietary interventions which may allow people to not only live longer but also healthier lives,” said Rodrigo Cunha, from the University of Coimbra in Portugal and lead author of the study.
Coffee, a widely studied commodity, has been shown to reduce deaths from various causes, including lowering the risk of heart disease, cognitive decline, and chronic diseases, among others.
While commonly associated with caffeine, coffee contains a mixture of over 2,000 potentially bioactive compounds, including those that offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits, reduce neuroinflammation, and regulate insulin sensitivity.
“Our review underlines the role regular, moderate coffee consumption can play in mediating against the biological mechanisms which naturally slow or fail as we get older — triggering a range of potential health issues and comorbidities,” Cunha explained.
Furthermore, the team noted that studies suggest nutritional “anti-ageing” interventions may have a gender bias, favouring either men or women. However, the ageing-related benefits of coffee were found in both sexes.
For the review, the authors specifically focused on studies examining how coffee affects biological processes that contribute to ageing, including genomic instability and cell mutations.
Although older adults are traditionally advised to reduce or avoid coffee, the authors suggested that clinical guidelines should now be re-evaluated in light of compelling scientific evidence supporting coffee’s role in healthy ageing.
“Traditional clinical recommendations have at times overlooked coffee’s role in healthy aging, but with a strong research base around how regular consumption can potentially reduce some of the most chronic diseases facing society, it is likely time to re-evaluate these,” Cunha said.
However, the exact mechanisms by which coffee and its components contribute to extending healthy life remain unclear, and future research could explore this further, the researchers concluded
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