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A recent study from Harvard University suggests that moderate coffee consumption may contribute to healthier aging in women. The research, which followed nearly 50,000 participants over a 30-year period, indicates that drinking coffee could enhance both mental and physical well-being later in life.
The study analyzed data from the Nurses’ Health Study, which tracked the dietary and lifestyle habits of 47,513 women starting in 1984. By 2016, researchers identified 3,706 women who met the criteria for “healthy aging,” defined as being at least 70 years old without major chronic diseases, cognitive decline, mobility issues, or memory complaints.
Findings revealed that for each 8-ounce (340-ml) cup of coffee consumed daily, there was a 2 to 5 percent increase in markers associated with healthy aging. The study highlighted that the majority of caffeine intake among the healthy aging group came from coffee, averaging about 315 mg per day, or roughly three small cups.
Interestingly, other caffeinated beverages did not show the same positive correlation with healthy aging. Tea and decaffeinated coffee appeared to have no significant impact, and consumption of caffeinated cola was linked to a 20 to 26 percent reduction in the likelihood of aging healthily.
While the study underscores the potential benefits of moderate coffee consumption, researchers caution that these effects are modest and do not imply direct causation. Individual factors, such as genetic differences in caffeine tolerance and other lifestyle habits, also play significant roles in health outcomes.
The researchers emphasized that moderate coffee intake could be beneficial when combined with other healthy practices, including regular exercise and a balanced diet. Future research will explore how specific compounds in coffee might influence biological aging processes.
This study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that coffee may play a unique role in supporting aging trajectories that preserve both mental and physical function.
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