Drinking this many cups of coffee could slow biological aging, claims new study
Many people rely on coffee to feel happy and awake in the morning and more productive during the day. However, the beverage might be doing more than just giving people a daily pick-me-up. According to a 2025 study by the Mental Health BMJ journal, daily intake of coffee can slow down biological aging in a person. It could be especially helpful for individuals with mental health conditions and help them have a normal lifespan. Although there is a certain amount of coffee that one needs to drink to get maximum benefits.
The study explained that people with mental health conditions usually have a shorter life span than people who don't suffer from the same. The lifespans could differ by around 15 years. It is caused by an increased risk of illnesses like cardiovascular issues and certain forms of cancer. The study explained that the sped up process of aging in such individuals is associated with decreased telomere lengths. Telomeres are attached to the ends of human chromosomes and are supposed to protect DNA during replication. According to research, telomere lengths are known to be shorter in both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder patients. The shorter lengths are correlated with cellular aging, according to the paper.
However, coffee can prevent the shortening of telomere lengths and hence, prevent biological aging in individuals. Coffee is also associated with many other health benefits, but the researchers haven't yet found how coffee prevents telomere shortening. Around three to four cups of coffee a day is known to be ideal for getting the most of its health benefits. Patients with mental health conditions who drank coffee had longer telomeres than those who didn't. It was especially seen in people who had three to four cups a day, but not more than that. Around four cups of coffee can show a biological age five years less than that of someone who doesn't drink coffee at all.
The result of the study and the other health benefits are known to be present because of the potential antioxidant qualities of the beverage. Coffee also has several other health benefits, like reduced risk of obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. It was also associated with improved cognitive ability and reduced risk of other morbid conditions. However, it is important to note that according to the US Food and Drug Administration and UK National Health Service, a person is not supposed to consume more than 400 mg of caffeine, or approximately four cups of coffee a day. Excess coffee can have a negative impact on a person's health.
Coffee consumption can reduce a person's sleeping time by 45 minutes and can also reduce the quality of sleep. More than five cups of coffee a day were also associated with panic attacks in vulnerable individuals. Old people, children and people with hypertension were more likely to feel the negative impacts of coffee and were recommended to drink less than the recommended four cups. Excess coffee drinking was also associated with gastrointestinal issues, insomnia, increased urination, muscle tremors, irritability and arrhythmia. However, the benefits were great if the person consumed the beverage within the recommended amounts.
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