Researchers have once again proven that coffee is incredibly beneficial. A team of scientists from the University of Coimbra in Portugal discovered that regular moderate coffee consumption can extend life expectancy by an average of two years.
What Did the Scientists Discover?
The researchers examined data from 85 previous studies involving participants from Europe, America, Australia, and Asia, analyzing the connection between coffee consumption and health and mortality rates.
Overall, the analysis revealed that consuming about three cups of coffee a day is associated with an increase in life expectancy of approximately 1.84 years. Moreover, regular coffee drinking correlates with an increase in healthy life expectancy, meaning the time during which a person does not suffer from serious illnesses.
The team looked into the relationship between coffee and key health indicators. “Traditional clinical recommendations sometimes overlook the role of coffee in healthy aging,” noted neuroscientist Rodrigo Cunha, the lead researcher.
“The new review focused on the role of regular moderate coffee consumption in combating biological mechanisms that naturally slow down or malfunction as we age,” the scientist added.
Of course, there are many variables to consider, such as the types of coffee consumed, the demographics of the participants, and the duration of the studies. The results vary for different individuals, and it’s quite possible that the increase in life expectancy is not solely linked to coffee, according to Science Alert.
However, the team found a significant connection between coffee consumption and improved health. Given that the study involved hundreds of thousands of volunteers, its large sample size is one of its strengths.
The researchers analyzed health indicators such as inflammation and metabolism, taking into account factors like smoking and alcohol consumption to isolate the effects of coffee.
“Regular coffee consumption is associated with the preservation of muscle, cardiovascular, mental, and immune system functions. It is also likely inversely related to the frequency of common diseases that affect older adults, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, stroke, certain types of cancer, diabetes, dementia, severe depression, or frailty,” the scientists wrote in their report.
The findings of this study align with previous research that indicated coffee may potentially protect against heart disease, mitigate the negative effects of prolonged sitting, and extend life.
“We know that the global population is aging faster than ever, so it’s important to study dietary interventions that help people not only live longer but also lead healthier lives,” Mr. Cunha remarked.
The results of the study were published in the journal Ageing Research Reviews.