Scientists discovered an unexpected effect of coffee in schizophrenia

Consuming three to four cups of coffee per day may slow down biological aging in people with severe mental disorders, contributing to the lengthening of telomeres - the end sections of chromosomes that are considered markers of cellular aging. This conclusion was reached by specialists from King's College London.

As reported by BAKU.WS, the study was published in the journal BMJ Mental Health.

The study involved 436 adult volunteers: 259 people with schizophrenia and 177 with affective disorders accompanied by psychosis. Participants were required to indicate the frequency of coffee consumption, as well as report on smoking, if such a habit was present.

Preliminary analysis showed that 77% of subjects smoked, which accelerated the breakdown of caffeine in the body. At the same time, it was smokers who more often drank more than five cups of coffee a day.

Researchers measured telomere length in leukocytes - white blood cells that are easily obtained from blood samples. The results demonstrated a J-shaped relationship: the longest telomeres were in participants who drank three to four cups of coffee daily. Those who did not drink coffee or limited themselves to one or two cups did not have this effect, while consumption of five or more cups per day was associated with shortened telomeres.

According to scientists' calculations, the biological age of people from the "moderate consumption group" was approximately five years younger - taking into account age, gender, ethnic group, smoking status, diagnosis and treatment. Researchers explain this by the presence of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds in coffee that reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, which accelerate telomere shortening.

The authors also emphasize that exceeding the daily norm of caffeine can, on the contrary, enhance cellular damage and cause telomere reduction due to the formation of reactive oxygen species. International health organizations recommend limiting caffeine consumption to 400 mg per day - approximately four cups of coffee.