Study Links 3-4 Cups of Coffee to 5 Years Younger Cellular Age in Severe Mental Illness
Updated
Updated · PsyPost · Jul 11
Study Links 3-4 Cups of Coffee to 5 Years Younger Cellular Age in Severe Mental Illness
3 articles · Updated · PsyPost · Jul 11
Summary
436 patients in Norway with schizophrenia-spectrum or affective disorders showed the longest telomeres when they drank 3-4 cups of coffee a day, a level tied to roughly five years younger cellular age than non-drinkers.
The BMJ Mental Health study found an inverted J-shaped pattern: telomere length rose with coffee intake up to four cups daily, then fell among people drinking five or more cups.
Researchers said the association held after adjusting for age, smoking history and medication dose, and it appeared across both schizophrenia and affective-disorder groups.
Coffee's antioxidants and caffeine-linked effects on telomerase may help protect telomeres, while heavier intake could add cellular stress; the heaviest coffee drinkers also had the longest smoking histories.
Because the study was cross-sectional and relied on self-reported coffee intake, it shows association rather than causation and cannot account for brewing type or other caffeine sources.