Drinking four or fewer cups of coffee per day is linked to having longer telomeres, which may indicate slower biological aging. The corresponding study was published in BMJ Mental Health.
“As people with severe mental disorders tend to have high coffee consumption, our study suggests potential health benefits by monitoring coffee consumption to reduce intake above the recommended daily dose,” wrote the researchers in their study.
Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences found at the end of chromosomes that protect them from becoming frayed or tangled. They shorten with age, with major psychiatric conditions like psychosis, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder accelerating this process. They also, however, respond to environmental influences like diet.
In the current study, researchers investigated the effects of coffee drinking on telomere length among individuals with severe mental health disorders. Their analysis included cross-sectional data from 436 participants in Oslo, Norway, with schizophrenia or affective disorders such as bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder with psychosis.
Participants self-reported coffee consumption, quantified as cups per day. Telomere length was assessed via white blood cells extracted from blood samples​
Ultimately, the researchers found that drinking 3-4 cups per day was associated with longer telomeres than drinking no coffee at all- a difference that equated to being biologically younger by around five years. Drinking five or more cups of coffee per day, however, did not confer the same benefit, and was found to possibly contribute to cellular damage and shorter telomere length.
The researchers noted limitations to their study. While their self-reported data asked how many cups of coffee they drank per day, it did not delve into when they were consumed, the type of coffee, or the caffeine concentration. They also did not have information about other sources of caffeine, such as tea, energy drinks, and soda.
​Sources: Science Daily, BMJ Mental Health
