Coffee extends life: 4 cups a day add five years.

According to ТСН: New data suggests that consuming four cups of coffee a day may extend your life. Researchers found that coffee positively affects the health of patients with severe mental disorders, adding the equivalent of five years to their biological age compared to those who do not consume coffee.

The study was published in the British Medical Group.

How coffee protects cells and DNA

Patients with severe mental disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, typically live 15 years less than their mentally healthy peers due to increased risk of heart disease and other health problems.

The study showed that coffee positively affects the telomeres of patients with mental disorders. Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shield DNA from damage and shorten with age.

• Scientists measured the length of telomeres in leukocytes of 436 participants diagnosed with schizophrenia or affective disorders who took part in a Norwegian study of psychoses.

• It was found that consuming three to four cups of coffee a day is associated with significantly longer telomeres compared to those who do not consume coffee.

• Researchers note: “Based on an average shortening of 70 base pairs per year, this means that the biological age of the coffee-drinking group is five years younger.”

The main rule: don’t overdo it

It is important to note that a positive effect was observed only in those who consumed 3-4 cups a day.

• Consuming five or more cups a day, exceeding the recommended maximum, leads to the opposite effect, shortening telomeres and lifespan.

Scientists explain the protective effect of coffee through its antioxidant properties. Coffee contains bioactive compounds such as chlorogenic acid (CGA), cafestol, kahweol, and melanoidins. These compounds have powerful antioxidant effects, helping to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which are causes of accelerated aging, especially in patients with mental disorders.

Experts' warnings

Dr. Elizabeth Akam, a senior lecturer in bioscience at Loughborough University who did not participate in the study, emphasized that more research is needed to confirm the connection.

“It is important to note that this study considers 'coffee' as a single substance. However, coffee contains many different compounds, and it remains unknown which of them were used,” she noted.

She also pointed out that the data on coffee consumption were self-reported by participants, which may affect the accuracy of the study. This is important because the substance caffeine in some studies has been linked to telomere shortening.

However, the authors of the study believe that their findings may provide a basis for further investigation into the effects of coffee on telomeres and people without mental disorders.

It is worth mentioning that new research also suggests that a natural antioxidant found in coffee and rice may improve vascular health, enhance blood circulation and even reduce the risk of heart attacks.