Many people start their day with coffee as a way to wake up and feel energised for what lies ahead. However, new research has suggested that the popular drink may have even more benefits than this.
According to a scientific review, regular coffee consumption could extend your healthy lifespan by nearly two years.
As part of the study, which was published in Ageing Research Reviews, a team from Portugal analysed more than 50 studies, focusing specifically on how coffee impacts human health and ageing.
This revealed that drinking coffee could add an average of 1.8 years to a person’s healthy life expectancy and this was the case for both men and women.
However, it wasn’t just that coffee could help people live longer.
The findings suggest that the drink may reduce the risk of several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular issues, cancer, respiratory diseases, and cognitive decline.
Lead author Rodrigo Cunha, from the University of Coimbra, said in a media release: “We know that the world’s population is ageing faster than ever, which is why it’s increasingly important to explore dietary interventions which may allow people to not only live longer but also healthier lives.”
Find out about the symptoms you need to watch out for and get health advice with our free health newsletter from the Daily Express
It is thought that the health benefits of coffee lie in its more than 2,000 potentially bioactive compounds.
These include polyphenols that may offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits such as helping to regulate insulin sensitivity and reducing neuroinflammation.
Despite the benefits, the authors still advise moderation when drinking coffee, with the European Food Safety Authority stating that three to five cups of coffee per day should be safe for most adults.
But certain people including pregnant women or those who are hypersensitive to caffeine should limit their intake.
Cunha added: “Traditional clinical recommendations have at times overlooked coffee’s role in healthy ageing. But with a strong research base around how regular consumption can potentially reduce some of the most chronic diseases facing society, it is likely time to re-evaluate these.”
This comes as previous research has linked coffee consumption to a lower risk of diabetes, liver disease, heart disease, Parkinson’s disease, and obesity.
