Scientists have discovered a benefit of morning coffee beyond the energy it provides.
A study found that drinking at least one cup of caffeinated coffee in the morning – just 16 sips – helps women age more healthily.
This includes a lower risk of chronic diseases, cognitive decline (related to dementia), and physical limitations.
A public health expert at Harvard University analyzed data on over 47,000 women, many of whom have provided data on their diet, lifestyle and health since 1984.
Dr Sara Mahdavi, who led the study, said: "In addition to the large sample size and follow-up for 30 years, we assessed several different aspects of longevity and healthy aging, as well as very comprehensive information on dietary and lifestyle habits that was collected every four years after the start of the study."
Dr Mahdavi defined "healthy aging" as reaching the age of 70 or older, free of 11 chronic diseases such as cancer and diabetes, free of mobility problems, good mental health, and no impairment of memory or cognitive functions.
With each additional cup of coffee per day – generally no more than two and a half cups – women in the “healthy aging” group were five percent more likely to maintain physical and mental health later in life.
Dr Mahdavi said: “The results suggest that caffeinated coffee, and not tea or decaffeinated coffee, may have a unique impact on supporting aging that preserves both mental and physical function.”
After 30 years of follow-up, Dr Mahdavi concluded that every additional 80 milligrams of caffeine per day – about a small cup of coffee – was associated with a one percent greater likelihood of meeting the criteria for healthy aging.
It also improved every aspect of health, including disease prevention, mobility, and mental acuity, by two to five percent.
While coffee offered protection against age-related diseases, soda had the opposite effect.
Each daily glass of Coca-Cola, Pepsi or other carbonated drinks was associated with a 19 percent decrease in the odds of healthy aging and a 25 percent decrease in the odds of meeting the criteria for healthy aging.
After following over 47,000 women since 1984, only about 3,700 – just eight percent – met all the criteria for healthy aging by 2016.
In middle age (45 to 60 years old), women who were aging healthily drank about 315 mg of caffeine per day, equivalent to about three standard cups. Coffee accounted for over 80 percent of their caffeine intake.
The researchers found no significant association between drinking decaffeinated coffee or tea and increased odds of healthy aging.
“Our study has several key strengths,” said Dr Mahdavi. GazetaExpress reports.
"In addition to the large sample size and 30-year follow-up, we assessed several aspects of longevity and healthy aging, as well as very comprehensive information on dietary and lifestyle habits that was collected every four years after the start of the study."
Researchers conducting the Nurses' Health Study sent two questionnaires every two years to about 122,000 registered nurses, aged 30-55 at the start of the study, asking them about their eating habits, medical history, lifestyle (smoking, exercise, caffeine intake, etc.), as well as menopausal status, hormone use and mental health.
The study also collected blood, urine and other body samples to examine biomarkers such as chronic inflammation. Some of the nurses were followed for more than 40 years.
The health benefits of moderate amounts of coffee have been studied for years, and scientists have linked this morning habit to a reduced risk of high blood pressure, heart disease and atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder.
Coffee has also been linked to a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. A 2016 review of 11 studies involving over 29,000 people found that the more coffee people drank, the lower their risk of developing this condition that damages the brain and memory.
Coffee consumption was also shown in a Harvard University study to reduce the risk of diabetes. Men who drank one to three cups of coffee a day had a seven percent lower risk of developing this chronic disease, while women who drank at least four cups had a 30 percent lower risk.
Dr Mahdavi said: "While previous studies have linked coffee to individual health outcomes, our study is the first to assess the impact of coffee on several domains of ageing over three decades.
"These results, although preliminary, suggest that small, consistent habits can shape long-term health. Moderate coffee drinking may offer some protective benefits when combined with other healthy behaviors such as regular physical activity, a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking."
She will present the full study at the American Nutrition Association meeting on Monday. /Express newspaper/
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