A fresh cup of coffee may not just perk up your morning but could also help slow down the ageing of your cells. Drinking the right amount of coffee each day may contribute to a younger biological age , particularly in people living with severe mental illness , who often experience accelerated cellular ageing. New findings published in support this possibility. By analysing telomere length , oxidative stress and daily coffee habits, researchers found that moderate coffee consumption may offer measurable anti-ageing benefits, adding healthy biological years to a person’s life.





Three to four cups of coffee can make a difference

Researchers examined more than 400 Norwegian adults living with conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder with psychosis. These are severe mental illnesses that can affect thinking, mood and behaviour, and they are often linked to faster biological ageing in the body. Participants were divided into four groups based on their daily coffee consumption.



The most striking results came from those who consumed three to four cups daily. This group had longer telomeres, which suggested their cells were biologically around five years younger than those of people who drank no coffee. Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of our chromosomes, similar to the plastic tips on shoelaces. They naturally shorten as we age, and shorter telomeres are a sign of faster cellular ageing.



The findings reinforce a simple message: moderate coffee intake may help, but too much can work against your health.

How coffee helps protect the body’s cells

Coffee is rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that help defend cells from damage caused by free radicals. These protective effects are essential for preserving telomeres, which are highly sensitive to oxidative stress and inflammation. By reducing these stressors, coffee may help stabilise cellular ageing in groups at higher risk of accelerated decline. The study authors note that these benefits are particularly relevant for individuals with severe mental disorders, who statistically face a shorter lifespan due to underlying biological vulnerabilities.



A promising insight, but moderation still matters

While the findings highlight coffee’s potential to preserve cellular health, researchers also caution against excessive consumption. Drinking far more than the recommended daily amount of caffeine could produce the opposite effect, increasing oxidative stress and potentially damaging telomeres. The takeaway from this research is clear: moderate coffee intake, around three to four cups per day, may offer meaningful anti-ageing advantages, but more is not necessarily better.



Coffee is already celebrated for its mood-lifting and disease-fighting benefits, but this study adds a new layer to its reputation: it may help slow down the biological clock. Although the results are most specific to people with severe mental illness, they provide broader evidence of how diet and antioxidants influence cellular ageing. Your morning brew may be doing more than just energising you; it could also help keep your cells younger for longer.