That morning cup of coffee might be doing more than helping you feel awake. A new study suggests coffee longevity benefits could include healthier aging and fewer chronic diseases. While many Americans sip it for the energy boost, researchers are now linking regular coffee intake to long-term wellness — and the findings are stirring up major buzz.
Coffee and Healthy Aging: What the Study Found
This investigation centered on the health status of nearly 47,000 women nurses from the 1970s and followed them for a long duration. In 2016, scientists decided to delve deeply into the lives and medical records of 3,700 surviving females who were free from such acute maladies as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
These women shared one characteristic, despite their diverse geographical and social backgrounds. They all had coffee, and this somehow worked miracles for them. Some, even as many as seven cups of high-caffeine drinks a day, had a much higher probability to be among the “healthy aging” subset.
It is indeed a breakthrough revelation that marries the evidence from previous research, individuals drinking coffee render themselves a favor in the form of longevity and a decrease in diseases—real-time outcomes in the end of the process.
What Makes Coffee So Good for You?
The general understanding usually centers on the caffeine element. The true value, however, is found in coffee’s bioactive components.
“Coffee is chock full of antioxidants, polyphenols, and compounds like diterpenes,” remarks Debbie Petitpain, a registered dietitian. These substances can lessen the effects of inflammation and oxidative stress and even improve the functioning of brain cells. Caffeine has its part to play not just in keeping you alert for activities but also in those secretive nerve cells’ defense.
These combined effects probably are the key to the consistency of the increase in coffee and long-term health benefits.
Important Reminder: Correlation Is Not The Same As Causation
As you prepare to drink that extra cup of coffee, the scientists suggest you need to be aware of the context.
As this study demonstrates a relationship rather than direct attestation, coffee may not be the deciding factor in the aging process of these women — although, it also did no harm. Moreover, other lifestyle aspects like nutrition and regular physical activity would have contributed greatly to this effect.
In any event, it’s good to know that your coffee habit will not only have a good but also a better impact on your health.
Can You Drink Too Much Coffee?
Even if the findings of a recent study showing that coffee can improve longevity are accurate, drinking more doesn’t always lead to better.
Most healthy adults are safe to consume a maximum of 400mg of caffeine daily, which is about 2 to 4 small cups. Drinking more than that can result in side effects such as:
- Jitteriness
- Increased heart rate
- Sleeping problems
- Stomach issues
Some people should be especially careful, including those who are pregnant, have high blood pressure, or are sensitive to caffeine. Always talk to your doctor if you’re not sure about what might be the best choice for you.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Daily Coffee
To positively affect your health while enjoying coffee, without having the opposite effect, follow these simple suggestions:
- Go for plain or slightly sweetened coffee to avoid consuming extra calories
- Skip those that have high caffeine content and are close to your bedtime in order to sleep well
- Stray off big portions and sugar-laden drinks
- Let it be one aspect of a healthy lifestyle, not a substitute for it
One More Reason to Sip with a Smile
The revelation about a probable new benefit from your regular coffee is that it not only lifts your spirits every day but also it may help in keeping you healthy in your later years. Although more studies are necessary, this latest one has further confirmed that drinking coffee regularly can contribute to a long and healthy life.
So, tomorrow morning when you reach for that cup, savor it a little more. According to science, it might be a great start for your future.
