A new study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition suggests that drinking a moderate amount of coffee daily may be linked to long-term health benefits. Researchers found that 3,700 women who consumed an average of 315mg of caffeine per day were more likely to age in good health.
The study, which followed 47,513 middle-aged female nurses for three decades, defined “healthy aging” as living to age 70 or older and being free from chronic diseases. It found that moderate coffee consumption (up to 4 cups a day) was associated with a 2-5% higher chance of healthy aging.
However, the study did not find any significant link between decaf coffee or tea and healthy aging. In contrast, soda consumption was linked to an opposite correlation: each additional small glass was associated with a 20-26% lower likelihood of healthy aging.
According to the researchers, moderate coffee consumption may be due to its unique bioactive compounds, including chlorogenic acids and micronutrients that influence factors critical to aging, such as inflammation and blood vessel function.
Researchers emphasized caution and advised that drinking up to two cups of coffee per day is generally safe and beneficial for most people. However, excessive coffee consumption or caffeine sensitivity may not be healthy for some individuals.
The study’s lead researcher noted that women who aged best were more likely to eat well, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking – behaviors that matter much more than moderate coffee intake.
Source: https://time.com/7290877/coffee-health-women-aging-benefits