A recent investigation spearheaded by researchers affiliated with the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has indicated a moderate and beneficial correlation between the consumption of caffeine and regular coffee during midlife, as well as various facets of healthy aging in women. Conversely, no discernible links were established with tea or decaffeinated coffee. Intriguingly, a higher intake of cola was associated with a diminished probability of achieving healthy aging across all its components.
Mahdavi et al. aimed to investigate the association between caffeine intake in midlife and the likelihood of healthy aging in women in older adulthood in participants in the Nurses’ Health Study. Image credit: Sci.News.
“While prior research has connected coffee consumption to individual health endpoints, our study represents the inaugural effort to evaluate coffee’s influence across multiple aging dimensions spanning three decades,” remarked Dr. Sara Mahdavi, a contributor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the University of Toronto.
“The outcomes suggest that caffeinated coffee, in contrast to tea or decaffeinated varieties, might uniquely contribute to aging trajectories that preserve both cognitive and physical functionality.”
“Our investigation possesses several significant strengths. Beyond a substantial participant cohort and a 30-year follow-up period, we examined diverse aspects of longevity and healthy aging, complemented by exceptionally thorough data on dietary and lifestyle practices meticulously gathered every four years subsequent to the study’s commencement.”
The cohort under scrutiny comprised a total of 47,513 women participating in the Nurses’ Health Study, with dietary and health information meticulously recorded since 1984.
To ascertain caffeine consumption levels, the researchers employed validated food frequency questionnaires that cataloged intake from primary caffeine sources, including coffee, tea, cola, and decaffeinated coffee.
Healthy aging was operationally defined as reaching the age of 70 or beyond, remaining free from 11 prevalent chronic ailments, maintaining physical vigor, exhibiting good mental well-being, demonstrating no cognitive decline, and reporting no memory-related concerns.
Following a 30-year observational span, the investigators calculated the projected likelihood of healthy aging corresponding to each incremental 80 mg of caffeine consumed daily by the study participants.
Furthermore, the impact of specific beverages was analyzed, considering an 8-ounce cup of coffee, tea, or decaffeinated coffee, and a 12-ounce glass of cola.
These preliminary evaluations incorporated statistical adjustments for other variables that could potentially influence healthy aging, such as body mass index, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, physical activity levels, educational attainment, and dietary protein intake.
By the year 2016, a total of 3,706 women within the study cohort satisfied all criteria for classification as healthy agers.
During their midlife years, defined as ages 45-60, these individuals typically ingested an average of 315 mg of caffeine per diem — approximating the caffeine content of three small coffee servings or one-and-a-half large servings by contemporary standards.
In excess of 80% of this daily caffeine intake was derived from regular coffee consumption.
Among the women who experienced healthy aging, each additional daily cup of coffee was correlated with a 2% to 5% elevation in their probability of thriving in later life, up to a maximum of five small cups daily, or approximately 2.5 cups according to current measurement conventions.
The scientific team found no statistically significant correlation between the consumption of decaffeinated coffee or tea and an augmented likelihood of healthy aging.
Crucially, each supplemental small glass of soda—another significant contributor to caffeine intake—was linked to a 20% to 26% reduction in the probability of healthy aging, underscoring the fact that not all caffeine sources confer commensurate benefits.
“These findings, while still provisional, suggest that modest, consistent lifestyle choices can exert a profound influence on long-term health outcomes,” stated Dr. Mahdavi.
“Moderate coffee consumption may offer certain protective advantages when integrated with other beneficial health practices, such as regular physical activity, a balanced diet, and the avoidance of smoking.”
“Although this research adds to the existing body of evidence suggesting a potential link between coffee intake and healthy aging, the benefits derived from coffee appear relatively modest when contrasted with the substantial impact of overall healthy lifestyle choices and merit further rigorous investigation.”
The researchers presented their conclusions on June 2nd at NUTRITION 2025, the premier annual gathering hosted by the American Society for Nutrition.
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Sara Mahdavi et al. Caffeine Intake and Healthy Aging in Women. NUTRITION 2025, abstract # P22-039-25
