For scores of Brits, it's not a true start to the morning without a comforting cup of coffee. Yet, beyond its well-known kickstart effect, scientists have pinpointed extra health benefits behind this beloved drink.
A new scientific review proposes that your daily caffeine fix may actually hold the key to an extended life, potentially boosting healthy life expectancy by nearly two years. The study findings, disclosed in Ageing Research Reviews, considered over 50 previous studies examining the impact of coffee on health and longevity.
The research suggests that habitual coffee drinkers could see an increase of 1.8 years in their healthy life expectancy. But it’s not merely about tacking on more years; it's also concerned with enriching those additional years with better quality.
Coffee seems to be armed with defensive traits against numerous chronic conditions ranging from heart issues and cancer to respiratory diseases and even cognitive deterioration. Professor Rodrigo Cunha from the University of Coimbra explained: "We know that the world’s population is ageing faster than ever, which is why it’s increasingly important to explore dietary interventions which may allow people to not only live longer but also healthier lives."
Coffee
Previous research has suggested coffee could help protect against diabetes and heart disease (Image: Getty)
Coffee's impressive array of over 2,000 potential bioactive compounds is believed to bestow a multitude of health benefits. Key among these substances are polyphenols, which are celebrated for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
These may contribute to better insulin sensitivity and reduced neuroinflammation. Experts acknowledge coffee’s merits but suggest that moderation is vital.
The European Food Safety Authority sets out a guideline of three to five cups daily as a safe consumption range for most adults, while recommending that specific groups like pregnant women or people with high caffeine sensitivity limit their coffee intake even lower. Cunha said: "Traditional clinical recommendations have at times overlooked coffee’s role in healthy ageing. But with a strong research base around how regular consumption can potentially reduce some of the most chronic diseases facing society, it is likely time to re-evaluate these."
Previous studies have also established associations between coffee consumption and decreased risks of diabetes, liver conditions, heart diseases, Parkinson’s disease, and obesity.