A recent large-scale longitudinal study has found a promising link between midlife coffee consumption and healthy ageing in women. Conducted over three decades, the research followed nearly 50,000 women from the well-established Nurses’ Health Study and observed that those who regularly drank caffeinated coffee during their middle years were more likely to remain mentally sharp, physically capable, and free from major chronic illnesses well into old age. These findings suggest that the benefits of coffee may extend beyond its well-known energising properties to encompass broader aspects of long-term health and resilience.
The research team, led by Dr Sara Mahdavi, a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and adjunct professor at the University of Toronto, examined participants’ dietary habits starting in 1984. Women aged 45 to 60 reported their caffeine intake via detailed food frequency questionnaires, which included coffee, tea, cola, and decaffeinated coffee. The researchers defined “healthy ageing” as surviving at least 70 while remaining free from 11 major chronic diseases, retaining physical function, and maintaining good cognitive and mental health. Out of the original cohort, 3,706 women ultimately met these stringent criteria for healthy ageing by 2016.
What stood out in the analysis was the association between caffeine from coffee—rather than from other sources—and improved health outcomes. Women who consumed around 315 milligrams of caffeine daily in midlife (equivalent to roughly three small cups of coffee) were likelier to age healthily. The study observed that each additional cup of coffee per day was linked to a 2% to 5% greater likelihood of reaching older age in good health, up to a threshold of five small cups daily. Over 80% of the caffeine consumed by women in the healthy ageing group came from regular coffee, not from tea or soda.
Interestingly, the study did not find any significant associations between healthy ageing and tea or decaffeinated coffee consumption. More strikingly, it revealed that greater consumption of cola—another source of caffeine—was associated with a 20% to 26% lower likelihood of healthy ageing. This suggests that it is not caffeine alone that contributes to positive ageing outcomes but rather something specific to the chemical composition of coffee. Coffee contains a wide array of bioactive compounds, including antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents, which may work together to affect biological pathways related to ageing, such as oxidative stress, metabolic regulation, and neuroprotection.
Dr Mahdavi emphasised the study’s methodological strengths, including its large sample size, lengthy follow-up period, and repeated assessments of diet and lifestyle every four years. These factors allowed the researchers to adjust for confounding variables such as body mass index, smoking, alcohol consumption, education level, and protein intake. This robust design adds weight to the idea that regular coffee consumption may offer modest yet meaningful support for ageing well, especially when combined with other healthy habits.
Nevertheless, the researchers urge caution in interpreting these results as a prescription for unlimited coffee intake. While moderate coffee consumption appears safe—and even potentially beneficial—for most people, individual tolerance to caffeine varies. Previous research by Dr Mahdavi and her colleagues has demonstrated that genetic differences can affect how people metabolise caffeine, meaning some individuals may experience adverse effects from high consumption. For this reason, the researchers generally recommend limiting intake to around two cups per day unless one knows they can tolerate more. Future studies will explore how specific compounds in coffee interact with genetic and metabolic markers of ageing to understand these personalised effects better.
In conclusion, this study adds a compelling new layer to the growing body of evidence that supports moderate coffee consumption as part of a healthy lifestyle. While the benefits of coffee should not be overstated or viewed as a substitute for more foundational health behaviours—such as physical activity, nutritious eating, and not smoking—the findings do suggest that enjoying a few cups of coffee a day in midlife could offer small but measurable advantages in the pursuit of healthy longevity. Many women’s daily brew may quietly contribute to a more vibrant and independent older age.
More information: Sara Mahdavi et al, CYP1A2 Genetic Variation, Coffee Intake, and Kidney Dysfunction, Nephrology. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.47868
Journal information: Nephrology Provided by JAMA Network Open
