A recent study published in the journal BMJ Mental Health suggests that consuming 3 to 4 cups of coffee daily may slow the biological aging process in individuals with severe mental illnesses. The research indicates that this level of coffee intake is associated with longer telomeres—structures at the ends of chromosomes that serve as indicators of cellular aging. Participants who drank this amount of coffee could potentially have a biological age equivalent to five years younger than those who do not consume coffee.
The study involved 436 adults from the Norwegian Thematically Organised Psychosis (TOP) study conducted between 2007 and 2018, with participants diagnosed with conditions such as schizophrenia and mood disorders. The researchers categorized participants based on their coffee consumption: none, 1-2 cups, 3-4 cups, and 5 or more cups. Notably, those consuming 5 or more cups did not exhibit the same telomere length benefits, and this group tended to be older and were more likely to be smokers, which can influence caffeine metabolism.
Telomeres naturally shorten with age, but this process may be accelerated in individuals with major psychiatric disorders. The study's findings suggest that moderate coffee consumption could mitigate this accelerated aging, possibly due to coffee's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the authors caution that the study’s observational nature does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship and highlights limitations such as not accounting for the type of coffee consumed.
Despite the potential benefits, the study aligns with recommendations from health authorities, which advise limiting coffee intake to 3-4 cups per day to avoid adverse effects associated with excessive consumption.