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Brewed for longevity: Drinking coffee could help women live longer

Brewed for longevity: Drinking coffee could help women live longer

India Today2 days ago

A new study by the American Society of Nutrition has found that women who drink caffeinated coffee in their 40s and 50s may be more likely to stay mentally sharp, physically strong, and free from major illnesses as they age.The research, which followed nearly 50,000 women for 30 years, shows that moderate coffee intake in midlife is linked to "healthy ageing", which is defined as living beyond 70 with good physical function, no memory issues, and freedom from chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer.advertisementNOT ALL CAFFEINE SOURCES ARE EQUAL
While coffee drinkers appeared to benefit, the study found no such advantage with decaffeinated coffee or tea.In fact, women who drank more cola, another source of caffeine, were less likely to age healthily.'Caffeinated coffee, not tea or decaf, may uniquely support ageing trajectories that preserve both mental and physical function,' said lead researcher Dr. Sara Mahdavi of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.WHAT THE STUDY LOOKED ATThe findings come from the long-running Nurses' Health Study, which began tracking the diets and health of women in 1984.Researchers used detailed food questionnaires and medical records to monitor how much caffeine participants consumed and how they aged over time.On average, women in the "healthy ager" group drank about 315 mg of caffeine per day, roughly the amount found in three small cups of regular coffee.advertisementMore than 80% of their caffeine came from coffee.Each additional cup of coffee was linked to a 2% to 5% higher chance of ageing well, up to about five small cups per day.COLD DRINK LINKED TO POOR AGEINGThe study also revealed a warning sign: each small glass of cola per day was associated with a 20% to 26% lower chance of healthy ageing.This suggests not all caffeinated drinks offer the same benefits, and added sugar or other ingredients in soda may play a negative role.COFFEE MAY HELP BUT IT'S NOT A MAGIC CURE"Small, consistent habits can shape long-term health,' said Dr. Mahdavi. However, she added that coffee is only one piece of the puzzle. Exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking are still the biggest factors for healthy aging.The researchers also note that up to two cups of coffee a day is generally safe for most people, though more may be fine for some.Genetic differences can affect how well individuals tolerate caffeine.

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Morning Coffee Helps Women Stay Sharp And Strong: Harvard Study
Morning Coffee Helps Women Stay Sharp And Strong: Harvard Study

News18

time12 hours ago

  • News18

Morning Coffee Helps Women Stay Sharp And Strong: Harvard Study

A Harvard research has reveals the best time for women to drink coffee for healthy ageing. Coffee is more than just a morning favourite, it comes with multiple health benefits. Loaded with antioxidants, it protects your cells from harm and promotes brain health. Additionally, caffeine boosts your energy, improves concentration, and elevates your mood. A study led by Harvard researcher Dr Sara Mahdavi found that women who drank caffeinated coffee during midlife were more likely to experience healthy ageing. This research tracked nearly 50,000 women over 30 years. The findings were presented at Nutrition 2025, the American Society for Nutrition's annual conference, held from May 31 to June 3 in Orlando. The study examined 47,513 women from the long-term Nurses' Health Study, monitoring their diet and health since 1984. Researchers estimated caffeine intake using detailed food questionnaires covering common sources such as coffee, tea, cola, and even decaf coffee. 'Healthy ageing' was defined as living beyond 70 years without 11 major chronic diseases, maintaining physical activity, mental sharpness, emotional well-being, and no serious memory problems. The researchers were essentially exploring how caffeine could help women maintain strength, mental clarity, and good health as they get older. The researcher discovered that drinking coffee in the morning helps women stay mentally sharp and physically strong, two important factors for healthy ageing. That first cup of coffee in the morning feels almost magical. It's more than just waking up, it's like giving your body and mind a quick boost to start the day. For many, this morning ritual does more than energise; it sets the mood and pace for what's ahead. To start with, the caffeine in coffee boosts your alertness, sharpens your focus, and lifts your mood. If you're feeling sleepy or foggy-headed, that morning cup can help clear your mind and make you feel more awake. Morning is an ideal time to enjoy coffee because your body is naturally waking up, and caffeine complements this natural rhythm, especially if you wait 30 to 60 minutes after getting up before having your cup. Additionally, drinking coffee early helps prevent it from interfering with your sleep later in the day. First Published: June 06, 2025, 10:13 IST

Brewed for longevity: Drinking coffee could help women live longer
Brewed for longevity: Drinking coffee could help women live longer

India Today

time2 days ago

  • India Today

Brewed for longevity: Drinking coffee could help women live longer

A new study by the American Society of Nutrition has found that women who drink caffeinated coffee in their 40s and 50s may be more likely to stay mentally sharp, physically strong, and free from major illnesses as they research, which followed nearly 50,000 women for 30 years, shows that moderate coffee intake in midlife is linked to "healthy ageing", which is defined as living beyond 70 with good physical function, no memory issues, and freedom from chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, or ALL CAFFEINE SOURCES ARE EQUAL While coffee drinkers appeared to benefit, the study found no such advantage with decaffeinated coffee or fact, women who drank more cola, another source of caffeine, were less likely to age healthily.'Caffeinated coffee, not tea or decaf, may uniquely support ageing trajectories that preserve both mental and physical function,' said lead researcher Dr. Sara Mahdavi of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public THE STUDY LOOKED ATThe findings come from the long-running Nurses' Health Study, which began tracking the diets and health of women in used detailed food questionnaires and medical records to monitor how much caffeine participants consumed and how they aged over average, women in the "healthy ager" group drank about 315 mg of caffeine per day, roughly the amount found in three small cups of regular than 80% of their caffeine came from additional cup of coffee was linked to a 2% to 5% higher chance of ageing well, up to about five small cups per DRINK LINKED TO POOR AGEINGThe study also revealed a warning sign: each small glass of cola per day was associated with a 20% to 26% lower chance of healthy suggests not all caffeinated drinks offer the same benefits, and added sugar or other ingredients in soda may play a negative MAY HELP BUT IT'S NOT A MAGIC CURE"Small, consistent habits can shape long-term health,' said Dr. Mahdavi. However, she added that coffee is only one piece of the puzzle. Exercise, a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking are still the biggest factors for healthy researchers also note that up to two cups of coffee a day is generally safe for most people, though more may be fine for differences can affect how well individuals tolerate caffeine.

Could your morning coffee be the secret for longer life? Harvard study reveals new benefits
Could your morning coffee be the secret for longer life? Harvard study reveals new benefits

Time of India

time3 days ago

  • Time of India

Could your morning coffee be the secret for longer life? Harvard study reveals new benefits

For millions of women who begin their mornings with a cup of coffee, new research suggests that this daily habit may offer more than just a caffeine boost. A 30-year study tracking nearly 50,000 women found that moderate consumption of caffeinated coffee in midlife is associated with healthier aging—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Presented at the annual Nutrition 2025 meeting of the American Society for Nutrition in Orlando, the study analyzed data from participants of the long-running Nurses' Health Study. Women between ages 45 and 60 provided dietary and health information starting in 1984, including details about their caffeine intake from sources like coffee, tea, cola, and decaf coffee. Caffeinated Coffee Stands Out Among Beverages The research showed that women who aged well—defined as reaching at least 70 without major chronic diseases, cognitive decline, memory complaints, or physical disabilities—tended to consume an average of 315 milligrams of caffeine per day. That's roughly equal to three small cups of regular coffee. More than 80% of the caffeine came from coffee, and each additional cup per day was linked to a 2% to 5% greater likelihood of healthy aging . However, other caffeinated beverages like tea, soda, and decaf coffee did not show the same benefit. According to Dr. Sara Mahdavi, the study's lead researcher and a postdoctoral fellow at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, coffee's unique mix of bioactive compounds may be responsible for its impact on aging. Lifestyle Matters, But Coffee Plays a Role Dr. Mahdavi emphasized that while moderate coffee intake might offer some protection, it should be viewed within the context of a broader healthy lifestyle. She noted that women who consumed one to three cups daily in their 50s were more likely to maintain good cognitive, physical, and mental health into older age, even after adjusting for diet, exercise, and smoking. 'These results, while preliminary, suggest that small, consistent habits can shape long-term health,' Mahdavi said. She added that people who already consume coffee moderately—typically two to four cups per day—may include it as part of a healthy routine, though it's not recommended to start drinking coffee just for these benefits. Not Everyone Benefits Equally The findings also pointed to a genetic component. In related research, Mahdavi and her team examined how caffeine metabolism affects health outcomes. Individuals who metabolize caffeine slowly—due to specific genetic traits—might face increased risks of kidney issues if they consume large quantities of coffee. In this group, heavy coffee consumption was linked to a higher likelihood of hypertension, albuminuria, and kidney hyperfiltration. This suggests that for slow metabolizers, more coffee isn't necessarily better. For most, however, up to two cups a day appears safe and could be beneficial. Future research by Mahdavi's team will investigate how bioactive coffee compounds interact with metabolic and genetic markers of aging. The goal is to create more personalized dietary guidance that considers individual health profiles and genetic traits. While past studies have linked coffee to reduced risks of death and chronic diseases, this new research is among the first to explore coffee's influence across multiple dimensions of aging over several decades. The results add to the growing body of evidence that a moderate, consistent coffee habit—especially when paired with healthy lifestyle choices—may play a role in supporting a longer, healthier life.

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