Coffee consumption is associated with healthy aging. What serious illnesses prevents, according to a new study

A new study conducted by over 47,000 women has discovered connections between coffee consumption and healthy aging. Most people who drink coffee appreciate the rapid energy dose they offer. But according to the new study, presented on the occasion of the annual meeting for nutrition in the United States, coffee consumption offers long -term benefits and is associated with healthy aging, writes The New York Times.

However, the study was not published, but it was rigorously conducted and included a large number of women, who have been watched for several years.

The researchers discovered a correlation between the amount of caffeine that women usually consumed (which came largely of coffee) when they were between 45 and 60 years old and the likelihood of healthy aging.

How much coffee does it mean healthy consumption?

After taking into account other factors that could affect aging, such as the general diet, how much movement they did, and if they were consuming the most caffeine (the equivalent of almost seven cups of 240 ml a day) had chances of healthy aging with 13% higher than the ones that consumed a little more).

However, Sara Mahdavi, associate professor of nutrition sciences at the University of Toronto, who led the study, warned that although this research shows that the consumption of up to 7 small coffee a day has been associated with a healthy aging, this does not necessarily mean that this will be so healthy and that it will not be a good thing for this.

Especially since research on other groups of people suggests that the health benefits of coffee can stagnate or even decrease when they drink more than three to 4 cups per day.

Tea, decaffeinated coffee and cola do not have the same benefits

The researchers also found that the consumption of decaffeinated tea or coffee was not associated with a healthy aging. This may be due to the fact that the study participants have generally consumed less tea and decaffeinated coffee, so it is possible to have less chance that researchers will find benefits on them, said Sara Mahdavi, associate professor of nutrition sciences at Toronto, who led the study.

Defffed tea and coffee also contain less caffeine, and tea has different vegetable compounds than ordinary coffee, which could also explain the results, she added.

Cola consumption, another potential caffeine source, was associated with significantly low chances of healthy aging.

Research, stretched for 5 decades

The conclusions of the study are added to a large number of previous evidence that connected a longer life and various health advantages, including lower risks to certain chronic diseases. However, all these studies had limitations, including the fact that they were observational and could not prove the cause and effect.

However, the results that connect the coffee with a healthy aging were not surprising, said Fang Fang Zhang, a nutritional epidemiology teacher, who was not involved in the study. “The data is quite consistent that a coffee consumption is actually beneficial,” she said.

In the study, the researchers have been watching over 47,000 nurses for several decades, since the 1970s.

Every few years, women answered detailed questions about their diets, including how much coffee, tea and cola (drinks such as Coca-Cola or Pepsi) used to consume.

Then, scientists analyzed how many women were still alive and fulfilled the definition of “healthy aging” in 2016.

Just over 3,700 women have met these criteria: they were 70 years old or older, reported a good physical and mental health, without cognitive deficiencies or memory problems.

They also did not suffer from serious chronic diseases, such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, renal failure, parkinson's or multiple sclerosis.

“It's a bit a mystery”

Researchers are not completely sure of the reasons why coffee could be beneficial. “It's a little mystery,” says Marilyn Cornelis, associate professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine.

Studies on mice have found that caffeine can improve memory and protect brain cells. And studies on humans have found links between ordinary (not decaffeinated) coffee and a low risk of Parkinson's disease.

Both the usual and the Defofeinized coffee contain hundreds of chemical compounds, including many that can reduce inflammation and prevent cell damage, says Dr. Sara Mahdavi, associate professor of nutritional sciences at Toronto

Although the new study did not identify benefits associated with decaffeinated coffee, other research has done this connection, along with the usual coffee, showing how coffee consumption is associated with lower type 2 diabetes and other conditions.

Tea also contains many beneficial compounds, and its consumption has been associated with better heart health and a longer life.

Photo: Dreamstime.com.