Daily Coffee Consumption Linked to Slower Aging in Mental Illness

Research published in BMJ Mental Health suggests that moderate coffee consumption may slow biological aging in individuals with severe mental illnesses. Specifically, drinking up to 3–4 cups of coffee daily could extend the length of telomeres—indicators of cellular aging—by the equivalent of five additional biological years compared to those who do not consume coffee.

This study highlights the potential benefits of coffee for individuals suffering from major psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Researchers observed that telomere shortening, a natural aspect of aging, is notably accelerated in these populations.

Study Overview and Participant Insights

The findings are based on an analysis of 436 adult participants from the Norwegian Thematically Organized Psychosis (TOP) study, which recruited individuals from 2007 to 2018. Among the participants, 259 had schizophrenia, while the remaining 177 reported affective disorders, including bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder with psychosis.

Participants were categorized based on their daily coffee intake: none (44), 1–2 cups, 3–4 cups (110), and 5 or more cups. Notably, those consuming five or more cups were generally older than those who drank less coffee. Furthermore, participants diagnosed with schizophrenia tended to consume significantly more coffee than those with affective disorders.

Caffeine, Smoking, and Telomere Findings

Smoking was prevalent among the participants, with approximately 77% (337) reporting that they smoked for an average of nine years. This factor is noteworthy, as smoking can influence caffeine metabolism. The study revealed a significant difference in telomere length across the four coffee consumption groups, displaying a J-shaped curve.

Participants who consumed 3–4 cups of coffee daily had telomeres that suggested a biological age five years younger than non-coffee drinkers, even after adjusting for variables such as age, sex, ethnicity, tobacco use, type of mental illness, and medication treatment.

While these findings are compelling, the researchers acknowledge the study’s limitations. As an observational study, it cannot definitively establish cause and effect. Additionally, there was no data on the type of coffee consumed, caffeine levels, or other caffeinated beverages.

The researchers propose plausible biological mechanisms for the observed effects, suggesting that the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties in coffee may help mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are detrimental to telomere length.

Despite the promising implications of these findings, the researchers caution against excessive coffee consumption. They note that international health authorities, including the NHS and the US Food and Drug Administration, recommend limiting caffeine intake to a maximum of 400 mg per day, or roughly 4 cups of coffee. Consuming beyond this limit may lead to cellular damage and potentially shorten telomeres due to the formation of reactive oxygen species.

In conclusion, while moderate coffee consumption appears to offer potential benefits for slowing biological aging in individuals with major mental health disorders, further research is necessary to fully understand the relationship and its implications for treatment and lifestyle choices.

More information on this study can be found in the article “Coffee intake is associated with telomere length in severe mental disorders,” published in BMJ Mental Health in 2025, DOI: 10.1136/bmjment-2025-301700.