Could your daily coffee habit be keeping your cells younger? Study finds moderate intake may slow biological aging

Drinking up to four cups of coffee a day could help slow the biological aging process in individuals with severe mental health conditions, according to new research. The study, published in BMJ Mental Health, found that moderate coffee consumption is linked to longer telomeres, protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that act as indicators of cellular aging, potentially giving the equivalent of five extra biological years compared with those who do not drink coffee.

According to the Science Daily website, coffee continues to be one of the world’s most popular beverages, with global consumption reaching an estimated 10.56 billion kilos in 2021-2022.

The study analyzed 436 adults from the Norwegian TOP study (2007–2018), including 259 with schizophrenia and 177 with affective disorders. Participants were grouped by daily coffee intake: 0, 1-2, 3-4, and 5 or more cups, and reported their smoking habits. Findings showed that those drinking 5 or more cups daily tended to be older, had smoked longer, and that participants with schizophrenia consumed more coffee on average. Overall, 77 percent of the group were smokers, with an average smoking history of nine years.


The benefits of coffee diminish when consumption exceeds this range, underscoring the importance of moderation. The suggested daily limit of 3-4 cups is consistent with recommendations from leading health authorities such as the NHS and the US Food and Drug Administration.

Telomere measurements and findings

According to the Science Daily website, telomeres, found at the ends of chromosomes, act like the plastic tips on shoelaces, preventing genetic fraying. While they naturally shorten with age, this process accelerates in individuals with severe psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and psychosis.

Because telomere length is influenced by environmental factors, including diet, researchers investigated whether moderate coffee consumption could help slow this shortening.

Coffee, known for its health benefits when consumed in moderation, offered a promising area for study in protecting against cellular aging in people with serious mental health disorders.

Researchers measured telomere length from white blood cells and found a J-shaped relationship with coffee intake. Participants who drank 3-4 cups daily had longer telomeres compared with non-drinkers, while those consuming 5 or more cups did not show this benefit.

Notably, individuals drinking four cups a day had telomere lengths corresponding to a biological age approximately five years younger than non-coffee drinkers, even after accounting for age, sex, ethnicity, smoking, type of mental disorder, and current treatments.

The researchers suggest that coffee’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds may help protect cells from aging-related damage. They note, “Telomeres are highly sensitive to both oxidative stress and inflammation, further highlighting how coffee intake could help preserve cellular aging in a population whose pathophysiology may predispose them to accelerated aging.”