12/29/2025
A new study in BMJ Mental Health suggests that drinking 3–4 cups of coffee a day may help slow biological aging, at least in people with serious mental illness.
Participants who drank this amount had longer telomeres, the DNA “caps” that shorten with age. The difference was roughly equivalent to being five biological years younger than non-coffee drinkers.
Importantly, this benefit did not extend to those drinking 5+ cups, matching the upper limit recommended by the FDA and NHS.
Why Telomeres Matter
Telomeres protect chromosomes from damage, much like the tips on shoelaces.
They naturally shorten with age, but the process often accelerates in conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and psychotic depression.
Because telomere length responds to lifestyle factors, researchers examined whether moderate coffee intake might offer some protection.
In this study, researchers analyzed 436 adults from the Norwegian TOP Study:
259 with schizophrenia
177 with affective disorders
Participants were grouped by coffee intake (none, 1–2 cups, 3–4 cups, or 5+ cups). Smoking, common in this population, was also considered, since it affects caffeine metabolism.
What the Study Found...
Continue Reading Here: https://www.healthasitoughttobe.com/blogs/news/another-coffee-study-proves-how-_____-it-is
