Do Coffee Drinkers Live Longer? Research Points to "Yes!"
You may be happy to hear that it has been found that coffee drinkers live longer. At least that is what the results of a new study seem to indicate.
Here is what you need to know so you can use these fascinating new findings to maximize your lifespan.
Coffee Drinkers Live Longer, According to New Study
Coffee lovers can rejoice in learning that their morning cup of joe has been linked to a longer lifespan. The study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine and detailed how drinking coffee was related to a significantly lower risk of death within the next few years.
In the study, researchers looked at data from over 170,000 people in the United Kingdom. The average age of the participants was 56 years old. None of the subjects had been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease or cancer at the beginning of the data collection. The subjects were tracked for an average of seven years to provide a comprehensive set of data. The researchers also accounted for external factors such as diet, sex, lifestyle choices and ethnicity.
What the scientists found in regard to how coffee drinkers live longer was that individuals who consumed 1.5 to 3.5 cups of coffee per day were up to 30 percent less likely to die over the timeframe of the study compared to those people who did not drink coffee. The best news is that the research indicates that the benefits extended to all types of coffee, including ground, instant and decaffeinated varieties. However, the researchers caution that the lifespan advantages tapered off once the subject reached the threshold of over 4.5 cups of coffee per day.
Previous Research Backs Up New Data
The results of the new 2022 study reinforce data from earlier research on the subject. For instance, a 2012 study looked at coffee consumption in over 402,000 people between the ages of 50 and 71 to determine the link between this intake and lifespan. This particular set of data demonstrated that an intake of four to five cups per day provided the most benefits.
However, drinking just one cup of coffee per day also provided measurable benefits to lifespan, demonstrating that a little goes a long way. This study also examined which specific mortality risks were lowered as a result of the coffee consumption. The data revealed that coffee drinkers were less likely to die of injuries, accidents, respiratory disease, infections, diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
Exploring Coffee's Benefits
So what is it about coffee that may increase your lifespan? The answer may lie in the antioxidants that are released when hot water passes through the coffee grounds. Coffee is one of the most significant sources of antioxidants for many people living in the Western world, edging out fruits and vegetables. Although coffee is not a richer source of antioxidants than produce, the simple fact is that more people are likely to drink coffee each day than indulge in a salad.
Foods to Lengthen Your Lifespan
Coffee is not the only food product that has been shown to increase lifespan. Here are just a few of the other main types of food that can add years to your life.
Fruits and Vegetables
The clear winner when it comes to food groups rich in antioxidants is fruits and vegetables. However, not all fruits and vegetables are created equal when it comes to providing benefits to your overall longevity.
Some of the best choices for produce products that are high in antioxidants include spinach, asparagus, cranberries, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli and beets.
Nuts and Oils
With so much fanfare surrounding the advantages of adopting a Mediterranean diet for better health, it is no surprise to learn that the cornerstone of this lifestyle can also extend your life. Specific components of this diet that have been shown to extend your lifespan include olive oil and nuts.
Spices and Herbs
There are also a variety of spices and herbs that can extend your life due to their high levels of antioxidants and other nutrients. Good choices include garlic and spicy foods. Drinking a mug of herbal green tea also delivers some of these benefits due to the presence of heart-healthy catechins.
Red Wine
The news just keeps getting better. In addition to feeling free to indulge in your morning coffee, research also points to a compound in red wine called resveratrol as being beneficial for your lifespan.
However, you do not have to drink red wine to enjoy the benefits of the compound resveratrol. This compound is also found in targeted supplements such as Resverchron, which offers a unique combination of resveratrol and powerful antioxidants with specific tailored to your circadian rhythm.
Dark Chocolate
Go ahead and dive into that decadent piece of chocolate for a sweet treat at the end of the day. Dark chocolate is bursting with flavonoids and antioxidants, both shown to lower levels of inflammation in the body. Lower levels of harmful inflammation are linked to a corresponding decline in age-related diseases.
While medical experts have known for some time that what you eat and drink has significant impact on your health, the revelation that there are specific ingredients that can increase lifespan is good news for everyone.