Study Links Coffee Consumption to Healthy Ageing in Women
Two decades after Miranda Priestly’s iconic line about her missing coffee in The Devil Wears Prada, new research suggests there may be more to her morning ritual than just fashion-world demands. A recent study presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition in Orlando indicates that regular coffee consumption may support healthy ageing in women, reducing the risk of chronic disease and physical or mental limitations later in life.
Study Findings
The research, based on data from the Nurses’ Health Study, followed 47,513 female nurses under the age of 60 for 30 years, beginning in 1986. Participants were assessed for healthy ageing using strict criteria: reaching at least age 70, absence of 11 major chronic diseases (including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and cancer), no physical functional limitations, and freedom from mental health or cognitive impairments and memory complaints.
By 2016, 3,706 women (7.7%) met these criteria. The study found that higher caffeine intake, primarily from coffee, was associated with a greater likelihood of healthy ageing. Each additional cup of coffee was linked to about a 2% higher chance of meeting the healthy ageing criteria, while consumption of cola was associated with a 20–26% lower likelihood. No significant association was found for decaffeinated coffee or tea.
The median daily caffeine intake among participants was 315mg, roughly equivalent to three to four cups of coffee. The association appeared to be dose-responsive for coffee, though modest, and was not observed with decaf or tea, possibly due to lower intake and differences in bioactive compounds.
Expert Commentary
Lead author Sara Mahdavi, adjunct professor in the Department of Nutritional Sciences at the University of Toronto, emphasized that while the findings are significant, they show an association, not a cause-and-effect relationship. “Women who aged best were also more likely to eat well, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking—those behaviours matter much more,” Mahdavi said. “The clearest benefits were seen with moderate caffeine intake—about 2 to 4 cups a day.”
Previous research, including a 2017 review published in The BMJ, has suggested that coffee may offer several health benefits, including a reduced risk of Parkinson’s disease, liver disease, and type 2 diabetes. However, this study is among the first to specifically link moderate coffee consumption to healthy ageing in women.
Public-Health Implications
The findings reinforce the importance of dietary choices in promoting healthy ageing. While coffee may offer some benefits, the study also highlights the risks associated with sugary drinks like cola. The researchers advise that generally drinking up to two coffees a day is safe and potentially beneficial, but more is not necessarily better. Other lifestyle factors, such as diet, exercise, and avoiding smoking, remain the most important contributors to healthy ageing.
It is important to note that the study population was predominantly white women, and further research is needed to confirm these findings in more diverse populations and age groups. Additionally, the benefits of coffee should not be overstated; it cannot replace other healthy behaviours.
Next Steps in Research
Future studies should explore the effects of coffee consumption on healthy ageing in men and in more diverse populations. Researchers also plan to investigate the specific bioactive compounds in coffee that may contribute to these benefits, as well as the potential risks of excessive caffeine intake.
For now, the evidence suggests that enjoying a few cups of coffee in the first half of the day may be a simple way to support healthy ageing, especially when combined with other healthy lifestyle choices. Read more on Globally Pulse Health for the latest updates on nutrition and healthy ageing.
