Drinking coffee helps women age better, landmark 30-year study finds
The popular beverage linked with healthy aging
- A 32-year study of nearly 50,000 women suggests that those who drank coffee in midlife were more likely to age healthily, maintaining sharpness, strength, and mental well-being.
- The research, presented at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual conference, found that caffeinated coffee, unlike tea or decaf, was “linked with healthy aging”.
- Healthy aging was defined as living to age 70 or older without major chronic diseases, maintaining physical function and good mental health, and exhibiting no cognitive impairment or memory complaints.
- Women considered 'healthy agers' consumed an average of 315 mg of caffeine per day in mid-life, primarily from regular coffee, with each additional cup linked to a 2-5 per cent higher chance of healthy aging.
- Dr Sara Mahdavi, who led the research, suggests that moderate coffee intake may offer protective benefits when combined with healthy lifestyle habits.