Chronic stress, inflammation, and oxidative imbalance appear to cause telomere length, a measure of genomic integrity and biological aging, to change in people with severe mental problems. According to recent studies, coffee use may alter these pathways, which might lead to longer telomeres in this susceptible group. The relationship between coffee's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities and the intricate biochemistry of mental illness is interesting.
The UK National Health Service recommends consuming no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day, or four cups of coffee. However, it is still unknown how TL and coffee intake relate to psychiatric populations. Gaining insight into this connection may lead to novel lifestyle-based approaches that promote long-term health in those with severe mental illnesses.
This study looked in to the relationship between TL and coffee intake in individuals with SZ or affective disorders. After controlling for confounders, researchers predict that moderate coffee drinking will be linked to longer TL based on prior studies in the general population.
436 participants from the Norwegian TOP project (259 with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and 177 with affective disorders) were included in this cross-sectional investigation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to assess leucocyte TL in blood. Patients' self-reported daily coffee intake was measured in cups (no coffee, 1-2, 3-4, 5+).
TL and coffee consumption showed an inverted J-shaped relationship, peaking at 3–4 cups per day before falling after 4 cups (F=3.29, p=0.02). Those who drank the maximum prescribed dosage and those who did not have the biggest TL difference (F=6.13, p=0.01). After controlling for confounders, coffee consumers who consumed the required amount had longer TL, which was equivalent to five years younger biological age.
Overall, in individuals with severe mental disorders, this study found an inverted J-shaped relationship between TL and coffee intake, indicating that while coffee drinking may be beneficial in moderation, it may have the opposite impact at high quantities. After controlling for confounders, drinking coffee up to the recommended daily limit was linked to a biological age that was five years younger than that of non-drinkers. For those who drank more coffee than was advised, this was not statistically significant.
Source:
Mlakar, V., Di Forti, M., Halff, E. F., Srivastava, D. P., Akkouh, I., Djurovic, S., Martin-Ruiz, C., Quintana, D. S., Birkenæs, V., Steen, N. E., Ormerod, M. B., Andreassen, O. A., & Aas, M. (2025). Coffee intake is associated with telomere length in severe mental disorders. BMJ Mental Health, 28(1), e301700. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjment-2025-301700
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