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The Hill
15 hours ago
- Health
- The Hill
Drinking coffee daily tied to healthy aging among women, study finds
Related video: Could the cost of coffee rise due to tariffs? (NEXSTAR) – A study presented at the American Society for Nutrition Monday suggests that an eye-opening cup of java may also have long-term health benefits for women. 'Our study has several key strengths,' said Sara Mahdavi, lead researcher and an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto, in a press release. 'In addition to the large sample size and 30 years of follow-up, we assessed several different aspects of longevity and healthy aging as well as very comprehensive information on nutritional and lifestyle habits that were collected every four years after the initiation of the study.' The study followed 47,513 women using dietary and health data from the Nurses' Health Study dating back to 1984. While not yet peer-reviewed or published, the supporting data is extensive, experts say, and its conclusion lines up with several other studies that have found coffee to have beneficial effects. 'The data is quite consistent that coffee consumption is actually beneficial,' a Tufts University professor not affiliated with the study told The New York Times. The study looked at the frequency with which the participants drank coffee, tea, cola or decaffeinated coffee, while accounting for other factors that could influence health aging, such as body weight, smoking, alcohol use, physical activity, education level and protein consumption. Every four years, researchers collected follow-up information on the participants' nutritional and lifestyle habits, including regular caffeine consumption. After three decades, there were 3,706 women who met the definition of a health ager: 'living to age 70 or older, being free from 11 major chronic diseases, maintaining physical function, having good mental health, exhibiting no cognitive impairment and showing no memory complaints.' In mid-life, those same woman consumed, on average, 315 mg of caffeine per day, or about one and a half large cups of coffee. The vast majority of that caffeine intake came from regular coffee, according to the study. 'For women in the healthy agers group, each extra cup of coffee per day was tied to a 2% to 5% higher chance of doing well later in life, up to five small cups per day, or about 2.5 cups according to today's measures,' the news release stated. Alternatively, researchers found no link between healthy aging and decaffeinated coffee or tea. 'The health benefits apppeared specific to coffee, rather than caffeine more broadly,' Mahdavi told Fox News Digital. 'We didn't see the same associations with decaf coffee, tea or caffeinated soda, suggesting that coffee's unique combination of bioactive compounds may play a key role.' Caffeinated soda, the study found, lowered participants' chances of healthy aging by 20 percent to 26 percent. 'These results, while preliminary, suggest that small, consistent habits can shape long-term health,' said Mahdavi. 'Moderate coffee intake may offer some protective benefits when combined with other healthy behaviors such as regular exercise, a healthy diet and avoiding smoking. While this study adds to prior evidence suggesting coffee intake may be linked with healthy aging, the benefits from coffee are relatively modest compared to the impact of overall healthy lifestyle habits and warrant further investigation.' Despite the generous sample size, Mahdavi noted that the study mostly examined the health and habits of white, educated female health professionals. 'Further work is needed to confirm generalizability to broader populations,' she told Fox News Digital, adding that, while the results are positive for coffee drinkers, the study doesn't show a direct causal relationship between the beverage and long-term health. In other words, there's no guarantee that starting a coffee habit will lead to a healthier aging process, but the study suggests that coffee drinkers don't necessarily need to cut back on the beverage in an attempt to maintain their health as they get older, David Kao, professor of medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School told CNN. For those people who aren't already coffee drinkers, or abstain from caffeine, Mahdavi said her team does not recommend taking up the habit. People with medical concerns including high blood pressure, sleep issues or anxiety, should speak with a healthcare provider before drinking coffee, as it may not be advisable.
Newsweek
15 hours ago
- Health
- Newsweek
30-Year Study Reveals Coffee's Surprising Effect on Women Over 70
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Women who consume caffeinated coffee in midlife may boost their odds of aging well, according to a 30-year study. The findings suggest that a daily cup of coffee may do more than energize—it might support physical and mental health into an aging adult's golden years. The research, which was presented at the NUTRITION 2025 conference by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health fellow Dr. Sara Mahdavi, analyzed data from the Nurses' Health Study, which began in 1984 and focused on nearly 50,000 women aged 45-60. Stock image: Two cups of coffee. Stock image: Two cups of coffee. Photo by Farknot_Architect / Getty Images "Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages globally and its relationship with long-term health has generated both scientific curiosity and public debate," Mahdavi told Newsweek in an email. "Given its rich mix of bioactives, we wanted to examine how midlife intake may relate to healthy aging outcomes decades later—especially in a well-characterized cohort with repeated dietary measures." Researchers found that women who drank regular, caffeinated coffee—not tea or decaf—had a modest, but measurable increase in the likelihood of meeting criteria for "healthy aging" by age 70. These criteria included being free from 11 major chronic diseases, having intact physical function and mental health, and reporting no memory complaints. "Caffeine likely plays a role, but it's not the only factor," Mahdavi said. "Caffeinated coffee contains a broader range of bioactive compound—including certain polyphenols and diterpenes—that may be altered or diminished during decaffeination. "It's also possible that individuals who drink decaf differ systematically in health or behavior, though we adjusted for many of those variables." What To Know On average, women in the study who aged in a healthy way consumed around 315 mg of caffeine daily—roughly equivalent to three small cups of coffee. Each additional cup was tied to a 2-to-5% increase in the odds of healthy aging, up to a threshold of five small cups per day. The researchers noted that, for most people, two cups of coffee per day are generally safe and potentially beneficial. By contrast, soda consumption was associated with a 20-to-26% reduction in the likelihood of healthy aging, which suggests not all caffeine sources offer similar benefits. "The clearest takeaway was how consistent the findings were," Mahdavi told Newsweek. "Even after accounting for factors like smoking, [body mass index] and overall diet quality, moderate caffeinated coffee intake in midlife remained positively associated with healthy aging. "By contrast, cola consumption was associated with a substantially lower likelihood of aging well—nearly four times the magnitude, in the opposite direction." Health Benefits of Coffee Previous research has linked coffee consumption to a range of health benefits, including a reduced risk of several chronic conditions. Studies published in journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine and Circulation (NEJM) have found associations between regular coffee consumption and lower rates of Type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, stroke and cardiovascular disease. A 2012 study in NEJM involving more than 400,000 participants found that people who drank coffee had a lower risk of death over the study period, whether it was caffeinated or decaf. A 2017 umbrella review in The BMJ found that coffee consumption was, "more often associated with benefit than harm," for a range of health outcomes. However, researchers have also cautioned that drinking too much coffee may pose risks for people with certain conditions, or low caffeine tolerance. "Not all beverages are equal when it comes to long-term health," Mahdavi said. "Moderate caffeinated coffee—1-to-3 cups per day—may support healthy aging, but more importantly, it can be part of a broader lifestyle that includes nutrient-rich foods, regular physical activity and avoiding harmful exposures. "The study adds to the growing body of evidence that everyday dietary choices, even in midlife, matter for how we age."
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Coffee Could Be The Secret to Healthy Aging For Women, Scientists Discover
The daily ritual of imbibing a hot cup of freshly brewed and fragrant coffee isn't just good for the soul – it may be one of the ways to smooth the road to healthy aging for women. In a study of 47,513 women in the US with data spanning 30 years, scientists have found that long-term moderate coffee consumption in mid-life is positively correlated with the markers of healthy aging. "While past studies have linked coffee to individual health outcomes, our study is the first to assess coffee's impact across multiple domains of aging over three decades," says Sara Mahdavi, nutrition scientist at Harvard University and the University of Toronto. "The findings suggest that caffeinated coffee – not tea or decaf – may uniquely support aging trajectories that preserve both mental and physical function." To assess the long-term impact of a daily cuppa (or two) on aging, Mahdavi and her colleagues made a careful study of data collected as part of the Nurses' Health Study, a series of epidemiological studies that examine the long-term impacts of various factors on the health of nurses in the US. They examined health and dietary intake data collected since 1984, all the way up to 2016. Healthy aging was defined as living to 70 years or older, maintaining good physical function, staying free from 11 major chronic diseases, and with no cognitive, mental health, or memory impairment. The researchers also adjusted for other factors that might influence health, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, level of physical activity, and body-mass index. By 2016, the researchers identified 3,706 women who qualified as healthy agers. For this group, around 80 percent of their average daily caffeine intake came in the form of three small cups' worth of coffee. By contrast, tea and decaffeinated coffee were not associated with any of the markers of healthy aging; and cola intake was associated with a negative impact for the markers of healthy aging. In other words, coffee had a positive effect; tea and decaf were neutral; and cola had a negative effect. For the healthy agers, each additional cup of coffee, up to five small cups a day, boosted the odds of healthy aging by between 2 and 5 percent. For the cola drinkers, each cup per day reduced the odds of healthy aging by 20 to 26 percent. Of course, coffee isn't a magic bullet for your health; you should still look after yourself in other ways, Mahdavi says. "These results, while preliminary, suggest that small, consistent habits can shape long-term health. Moderate coffee intake may offer some protective benefits when combined with other healthy behaviors such as regular exercise, a healthy diet, and avoiding smoking," she explains. "While this study adds to prior evidence suggesting coffee intake may be linked with healthy aging, the benefits from coffee are relatively modest compared to the impact of overall healthy lifestyle habits and warrant further investigation." The research has been presented at the NUTRITION 2025 conference in Orlando, Florida. Texas Woman Dies From Brain-Eating Amoeba After Flushing Sinuses Menopause Drug Reduces Breast Cancer Growth In Clinical Trial Bowel Cancer in Young People Is Rising – Here's How to Reduce Your Risk
India Today
2 days ago
- Health
- 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.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Carbohydrates and fiber linked to healthier aging in some groups, study finds
Carbohydrates may have gotten a bad rap, but a new study from Tufts University finds that some are better than others — and that older women in particular could reap the benefits. The research, which was recently published in the journal JAMA Network Open, found that daily consumption of fiber and "high-quality" carbs in midlife can contribute to healthier aging and overall better wellness among older females. The researchers defined "healthy aging" as "the absence of 11 major chronic diseases, lack of cognitive and physical function impairments, and having good mental health." Experts Reveal Hidden Ways Sugar Accelerates Aging Beyond Just Weight Gain The study was led by researchers from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. "The main takeaway of the study is that consuming dietary fiber and high-quality carbohydrates — those from fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes — is associated with positive health status in older adulthood," lead author Andres Ardisson Korat, a scientist at HNRCA, told Fox News Digital. Read On The Fox News App "This includes the absence of chronic diseases and good physical and cognitive function." The researchers collected data from the Nurses' Health Study, in which 47,000 women reported their dietary habits and health outcomes between 1984 and 2016, according to a Tufts press release. The women ranged in age from 70 to 93 by the end of the study period. Eating This Breakfast Food Could Help You Live Longer, Study Suggests The researchers looked at the women's consumption of dietary fiber, total carbohydrates, refined carbohydrates, high-quality (unrefined) carbohydrates, and carbohydrates from whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes. They also analyzed glycemic index (each food's score indicating how much it raises blood sugar) and glycemic load, which also takes into account portion size to provide a more accurate measure of each food's impact on blood sugar. Women who consumed higher amounts of total carbohydrates; high-quality carbohydrates from whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes; and total dietary fiber in midlife were 6% to 37% more likely to have healthy aging and to score higher in several areas of mental and physical wellness, the study found. Conversely, consuming refined carbohydrates — which come from added sugars, refined grains and potatoes — and starchy vegetables resulted in a 13% reduced chance of healthy aging. "This study reinforces something many of us intuitively feel: quality matters," noted Melanie Avalon, a health influencer, entrepreneur and biohacker based in Atlanta, Georgia. "It's not just about 'carbs versus fats versus protein' — it's about the kind of carbs you're eating." Avalon, who was not involved in the research, discussed some of the more notable findings with Fox News Digital. "Perhaps most surprising was the finding that replacing just 5% of calories from carbohydrates with protein (from either plant or animal sources) was associated with lower odds of healthy aging by 7% to 37%," she said. Healthy Eating In Middle Age Has This Key Longevity Benefit Avalon also noted that when carbohydrates were segmented by type — processed versus unprocessed — the associations with healthy aging were independent of BMI (body mass index), a metric typically closely linked to metabolic health. "This suggests the effects of carbohydrate quality on healthy aging were not solely explained by weight-loss effects," she said. The study also briefly touched on the controversial topic of seed oils. "It found that higher intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) — which are commonly found in seed oils — was linked to decreased odds of healthy aging, adding nuance to the ongoing debate," Avalon added. Based on the study findings, the biohacker recommends favoring whole, unprocessed foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains. "Shop the perimeter of the grocery store for produce and whole grains, as well as the freezer aisles for frozen fruit and vegetables," she suggested. "Consider dipping into the aisles only for pantry staples like canned legumes." For those who tolerate grains, people can reap the benefits of foods like quinoa, brown rice, oats and whole wheat products, Avalon noted. "Prioritize fiber-rich foods and minimize refined carbohydrates like white bread, sugary beverages and ultraprocessed snacks." "These shifts can meaningfully support healthy aging and reduce the risk of chronic disease." One chief limitation of the study is that the participants were mainly white female healthcare workers. "Because of the observational nature of the study, we cannot rule out confounding by other variables," Korat said. "We would have liked to have data on men to evaluate the associations in this group." Click Here To Sign Up For Our Health Newsletter The researchers called for more diverse studies that look closer at how dietary fiber and high-quality carbs contribute to healthy aging. "We hope our findings help inform consumers about the importance of healthy diets in the promotion of healthy aging," Korat added. "The more we can understand about healthy aging, the more science can help people live healthier for longer." Avalon added that while diet is "foundational," it's just one piece of the "healthy aging puzzle." For more Health articles, visit "Exercise, sleep, stress management and social connection all play a role," she said. "Ultimately, personalized nutrition, grounded in both science and self-awareness, may be key to thriving across the decades."Original article source: Carbohydrates and fiber linked to healthier aging in some groups, study finds
