New research suggests that a morning cup of coffee could be beneficial for more than just boosting your mood.

As per Dr. Chaofu Ke, an associate professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at Soochow University in Suzhou, China, who led the study, moderate intake of caffeine, which is defined as approximately three cups of coffee or tea per day, was linked to a decreased likelihood of developing cardiometabolic multimorbidity.

At least two cardiometabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and stroke, coexist when there is cardiometabolic multimorbidity, or CM.

“Coffee and caffeine consumption may play an important protective role in almost all phases of CM development,” Ke stated.

Researchers examined data from over 180,000 individuals in the UK Biobank, a sizable scientific database and research resource that tracks individuals over an extended period of time. At the beginning, none of the individuals involved had cardiometabolic disorders.

According to a study published on Tuesday in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, the information included the participants’ self-reported caffeine consumption through coffee, black, or green tea, as well as the cardiometabolic diseases they developed through primary care data, hospital records, and death certificates.

A lower incidence of new onset cardiometabolic multimorbidity was observed among moderate coffee users. Compared to those who drank less than one cup or didn’t drink at all, the risk was lowered by 40.7% if they consumed 200 to 300 mg of caffeine per day or 48.1% if they drank three cups, according to Ke.

Dr. Gregory Marcus, associate chief of cardiology for research and professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, said the study provided a strong look at the effects of caffeine on heart health because it examined many biomarkers and a large sample size. He didn’t work on the research project.

“These observations add to the growing body of evidence that caffeine, and commonly consumed natural substances that contain caffeine such as tea and coffee, may enhance cardiovascular health,”  Marcus wrote in an email.

What scientists are unaware of

Although the technique is sound and the findings are consistent with the body of research on caffeine and heart function, Marcus noted that there are still unanswered concerns over the degree of this relationship.

“It is important to emphasize that, while these data suggest a relationship between caffeine, tea, and coffee and a reduced risk of a combination of cardiovascular diseases, we need to be careful before we infer true causal effects,” Marcus stated.

He stated that the observational nature of the study limits its ability to identify a relationship between caffeine and heart health. He also mentioned the possibility that other factors are to blame for the better heart health.

Marcus continued, “It remains possible that the apparent protective effects do not truly exist at all and that the positive associations are all explained by some as yet unknown or unmeasured true determining factor,”

“For example, perhaps those more likely to consume these substances also tend to have a healthier diet or to be more physically active.”

Researchers are unable to determine if caffeine from energy drinks or carbonated beverages would also have a good effect because the study did not address this issue, according to Ke.

Do you think you should start having coffee?

Many academic works demonstrate the advantages of caffeine use.

A lower risk of diabetes has been linked to several studies, according to Marcus. He went on, citing studies of his own and others, to say that, contrary to popular belief, consuming coffee with caffeine is linked to a decreased risk of irregular heart rhythms.

The majority of the research, though, is observational, and one study had conflicting results, Marcus said, linking higher daily step counts with lower sleep levels when coffee use increased.“Even if caffeine, coffee, and tea in the amounts described in this study … are indeed healthy, there is also strong evidence that high-dose caffeine, particularly when included in artificial concoctions like energy drinks, may actually cause harmful and even dangerous heart rhythm problems.”The majority of the research, though, is observational, and one study had conflicting results, Marcus said, linking higher daily step counts with lower sleep levels when coffee use increased.

Marcus stated that while the new research may reassure individuals who already consume coffee or tea on a regular basis, it isn’t always a reason to begin doing so.

The statement,“It is also important to mention that more is not necessarily better,” he added

Researchers have discovered that humans age at the molecular level in two faster bursts, one around age 44 and the other at age 60.

Scientists from Stanford University and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore tracked 108 people for several years to look for aging changes in their molecules, including RNA, proteins, and microbiomes, in a study that was published in the journal Nature Aging.

The researchers discovered that aging in humans is not a linear, gradual process. Instead, at 44 and 60 years old, most of the molecules they examined displayed rapid, non-linear alterations.

The study’s first author, Xiaotao Shen, an assistant professor of microbiome medicine at Nanyang Technological University, stated that the findings demonstrate that “we are not becoming old gradually.” He went on to say that certain moments in time are especially crucial to our aging and health.

For instance, the body’s capacity to metabolize caffeine significantly declines, first around 40 and then again around 60.According to Michael Snyder, the chair of Stanford’s genetics department and study author, a loss in components involved in metabolizing alcohol is indicative of the two waves of aging and is particularly apparent around the age of 40. Snyder said.

The study’s first author, Xiaotao Shen, an assistant professor of microbiome medicine at Nanyang Technological University, stated that the findings demonstrate that “we are not becoming old gradually.” He went on to say that certain moments in time are especially crucial to our aging and health.

For instance, the body’s capacity to metabolize caffeine significantly declines, first around 40 and then again around 60. According to Michael Snyder, chair of Stanford’s genetics department and study author, the components involved in metabolizing alcohol also decrease with age, especially around the age of 40. This is in reference to the two waves of aging.

Close-up of a man drinking whiskey by himself while sitting at a bar counter, holding a glass of alcohol on a wooden table at home. Problem with alcoholic beverages concept

Anecdotally, Snyder continued, “People often get muscle injuries and see their fat accumulation hit in their 40s (related to lipid metabolism), and definitely sarcopenia (muscle loss) hits people in their 60s—this is a very big deal.”

He said that alterations in the proteins that hold tissues together were seen in both age groups, which probably explains the changes in the skin, muscles, and cardiovascular system.

Additionally, the risk of disease increases more quickly, especially after the age of 60. According to the study, those 60 years of age and older have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, kidney problems, and cardiovascular illnesses.

As per the study, identifying patterns such as these can aid in the diagnosis and prevention of diseases. It further claimed to have discovered “clinically actionable markers” that can be employed to enhance health-care administration and the welfare of elderly people.

Participants in the study ranged in age from 25 to 75 for an average of about two years. Every participant was healthy, from a variety of ethnic origins, and resided in California. Every three to six months, samples of their blood, feces, skin, and nasal and mouth swabs were collected.

The menopause, which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, may have contributed to women’s faster aging, so the researchers ran their analysis on datasets that were specific to men and women. They were surprised to see that the results were identical, indicating that there may be a changeover point around 55 for both sexes.

Due to the small age range of the trial’s cohort, researchers from Germany and the US were unable to corroborate findings from a prior study that suggested there is another “wave” of aging that begins at 75.

Regarding what you should learn from their findings, the researchers suggest that as you approach these critical years in your life—your 40s and 60s—you should alter your lifestyle by doing things like drinking less alcohol and exercising more.

For better kidney function, Snyder advised those who were getting close to 60 to limit their diet of carbohydrates and drink lots of water.

Shen was instructed to “Take care of yourself more closely at specific time points during your life span,” 

Your midlife diet has an impact on your health beyond the age of 70. This may come as a surprise, but new evidence supports the idea. According to the study, eating a balanced diet in your 40s may greatly improve your odds of living a long and healthy life.

Less than 10% of people are able to sustain excellent mental, cognitive, and physical health past the age of 70, but you could hold the keys to becoming one of these select few.

Diet in middle age and future health

Some surprising findings were revealed by the research, which focused on a large data set of over 100,000 people studied for 30 years.

It was shown that those who started eating healthily in their 40s had a significantly higher chance of having a well-functioning body and mind when they were 70. In fact, when compared to individuals who did not follow a balanced diet, their chances of aging healthily were increased by as much as 84%.

Dr. Anne-Julie Tessier, a postdoctoral fellow at the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, stated that “people who adhered to healthy dietary patterns in midlife, especially those rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats, were significantly more likely to achieve healthy aging.”

One crucial hint is provided by the research: “The quality of your aging process can be significantly impacted by your midlife diet.”

Does aging well require a special diet?

Nuts, legumes, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, unsaturated fats, nuts, and low-fat dairy products have all been connected to increased odds of healthy aging. On the other hand, there was a correlation found between decreased chances of healthy aging and large intakes of trans fat, sodium, whole meats, and processed meats.

This study is unique in that it focuses on healthy aging, even though there have been many studies investigating the effect of nutrition on chronic diseases.

Here, being able to live freely and maintain a high standard of living as one ages is considered healthy aging, rather than just the absence of disease.

According to Tessier, “dietary guidelines and research have traditionally focused on preventing chronic diseases like heart disease.” “Our study provides evidence for dietary recommendations to consider not only disease prevention but also promoting overall healthy aging as a long-term goal.”

Rethinking the Dietary Recommendations

The study examined information from more than 106,000 participants who were free of chronic illnesses and at least 39 years old as of 1986. Not surprisingly, by the age of 70, only 9.2% of respondents had maintained their level of physical, cognitive, and mental fitness.

Notable trends were observed, based on eight healthy dietary patterns from earlier scientific investigations.

The strongest link was seen with the alternative healthy eating index, which closely followed the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Individuals who adhered to this food regimen had an 84% higher chance of aging healthily than those who did not.

Researchers also discovered that a diet known as the “planetary health diet,” which is modeled after the one recommended by the EAT Lancet Commission, significantly influenced the process of good aging.

The link between a healthy aging process and a planetary health diet was one of Tessier’s most notable discoveries. The EAT Lancet Commission’s report, which places an emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, plant proteins, and healthy fats from sustainable sources, served as the foundation for this diet.

“The fact that it emerged as one of the leading dietary patterns associated with healthy aging is particularly interesting because it supports that we can eat a diet that may benefit both our health and the planet.”

Even after accounting for variables like physical exercise, which is known to have an impact on health, these results persisted. All the physical, cognitive, and mental aspects of good aging were associated with each food pattern.

Supplements’ place in diets for middle-aged people

In a midlife diet that focuses on healthy aging, supplements might be helpful even if whole foods should be the main focus.

Research has demonstrated the benefits of specific vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin D, for both physical and mental well-being.

Future research may assist to explain the possible implications of making a healthy diet change later in life, as the study focused on midlife dietary patterns. The study’s findings do, however, make one thing abundantly evident: the seeds of good aging are planted in middle age.