Coffee continues to gain favor in health discussions, following a new yet-to-be-published study presented at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual meeting in Orlando. The research suggests that regular coffee consumption may contribute positively to healthy aging.
The study analyzed data from over 47,000 female nurses who reported on their dietary habits from the 1970s through 2016. By the end of the study period, researchers identified 3,700 participants who exemplified “healthy aging,” defined as being 70 or older, maintaining good physical and mental health, and having no signs of cognitive impairment or chronic illnesses, as reported by the New York Times.
These women averaged about 315mg of caffeine intake daily, predominantly from coffee, according to Fox News. After controlling for factors such as diet and exercise, the research revealed that those who consumed near seven 8-ounce cups of coffee daily between the ages of 45 and 60 had a 13% greater likelihood of achieving healthy aging compared to those who consumed less than one cup per day. Dr. Sara Mahdavi, the lead author of the study, emphasized to CNN, “We found that moderate caffeinated coffee consumption during midlife was associated with a higher likelihood of healthy aging 30 years later.”
Interestingly, similar amounts of decaffeinated coffee or tea did not yield the same positive outcomes, potentially due to lower consumption rates of these beverages among participants. Additionally, the intake of cola was found to correlate with a 20% to 26% decrease in chances of healthy aging.
While the study indicated a 2% to 5% increase in the odds of healthy aging for each additional cup of caffeinated coffee, Mahdavi cautioned against interpreting these findings as an endorsement for extreme consumption. Other research suggests that drinking more than three or four cups of coffee daily might have adverse health implications. Nevertheless, this study reinforces previous findings that coffee may offer specific benefits that other caffeinated drinks do not.