A fresh cup of coffee is a daily ritual for over 1 billion people around the world. Coffee isn’t just a morning treat; according to a new review study from researchers at the University of Coimbra in Portugal, drinking coffee regularly may add an average of 1.8 years of healthy living to a person’s life. The review, which analyzed the findings of more than 50 previous studies, was published in December 2024 in the journal Ageing Research Reviews. Read on for a synopsis of the health benefits available to regular coffee drinkers.
Why Coffee Drinkers May Live Longer
How, exactly, does regular coffee consumption add an average of 1.8 years of healthy living? The team behind the review found that the unique molecular constituents of coffee affect aging mechanisms, essentially helping to slow them down.
Rodrigo Cunha, PhD, was the lead author of the research review. Cunha, the principal investigator in the Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology and professor at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Coimbra, spoke with Medical News Today about his findings.
The Positive Molecular Impact of Coffee
Cunha linked the presence of naturally occurring chlorogenic acids in coffee to the drink’s potential life-extending properties. He described chlorogenic acids as “antioxidants that can attenuate the chemical deterioration of our cells and allow for better cell recovery after exposure to noxious stimuli.” They’re present in the leaves and fruits of certain plants, including the plant from which coffee is derived.
Chlorogenic acids have been the subject of numerous medical research endeavors, with noted positive effects. They have, for example, been shown to lower blood pressure and slow the effects of oxidative stress, an imbalance of free radicals in the body that can lead to cell damage. Chlorogenic acids generally break down during the coffee roasting process; however, the level of breakdown varies depending on preparation factors including heat.
Additionally, Cunha noted that the presence of caffeine in coffee “refrains the activation of receptors signaling stress and/or danger prompting a reorganization of resources for optimal and more constant function.” In other words, caffeine may help our bodies slough off stress and function at their highest capacity. Ultimately, the function of chlorogenic acids and caffeine may help preserve the quality of human cells.
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Ultimately, researchers have a long way to go to extrapolate these findings on coffee intake and longevity. “There is a long road ahead to understand who will benefit the most from coffee intake and what types of coffee and what types of patterns of coffee intake afford the maximal benefits,” Cunha told Medical News Today. Other factors, including the geographic source of coffee, coffee preparation, serving specifications, and an individual’s level of daily coffee intake, may have varying effects that need to be better researched and understood.
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