Moderate Coffee Intake May Slow Biological Aging in People With Severe Mental Illness

Moderate Coffee Intake May Slow Biological Aging in People With Severe Mental Illness
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Drinking three to four cups of coffee a day may help slow biological aging in people with severe mental health conditions, ScienceDaily reported. A study published in BMJ Mental Health found that moderate coffee consumption was associated with longer telomeres—structures that indicate cellular aging—equating to an estimated five additional biological years compared with non-coffee drinkers.

Researchers analyzed data from 436 adults enrolled in Norway’s TOP study, including participants with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder with psychosis. Coffee intake was self-reported and categorized into four groups, ranging from no consumption to five or more cups daily.

Telomere length was measured using white blood cells, and the results formed a J-shaped pattern: participants who drank three to four cups had notably longer telomeres, while those consuming five or more cups showed no apparent benefit.

The findings are observational and cannot confirm cause and effect, the authors cautioned. They also noted missing details such as coffee type, caffeine content, and consumption timing. Still, the study suggests that coffee’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may help protect against cellular aging. Health agencies, including the NHS and FDA, recommend limiting intake to about four cups a day.