Coffee intake is associated with telomere length in severe mental disorders
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Objective
Telomere length is an indicator of cellular ageing, with patients with severe mental disorders tending to have shorter telomeres than the general population. Coffee consumption may reduce oxidative stress, helping prevent biological ageing processes like telomeric shortening. The British National Health Service (NHS) advises limiting caffeine intake to 400 mg/day (4 cups of coffee). However, the role of coffee consumption and telomere length in psychiatric populations remains unclear.
Methods
This cross-sectional study included 436 participants (schizophrenia spectrum [n = 259] and affective disorders [n = 177]) from the Norwegian TOP study. Leukocyte telomere length (TL) was measured via blood using quantitative real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR). Patients self-reported coffee consumption, quantified as cups per day (no coffee, 1-2, 3-4, 5+).
Results
An inverted J-shape was found between TL and coffee intake, peaking at 3-4 cups/day before declining after 4 cups (F = 3.29, p = .02). The largest TL difference was between those drinking the highest recommended dose and non-drinkers (F = 6.13, p = .01). Coffee drinkers within the recommended dose had longer TL, comparable to five years younger biological age, adjusted for confounders.
Conclusion
Coffee intake within the recommended dose is linked to longer telomeres in severe mental disorders, comparable to five years younger biological age.
Key Messages
What is already known on this topic?
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Patients with severe mental disorders tend to have shorter telomere lengths, an indicator of accelerated cellular ageing.
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Coffee consumption has been noted to possess health benefits, which may help prevent telomere shortening.
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The relationship between coffee consumption and telomere length in psychiatric populations remains unclear.
What this study adds?
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Coffee consumption up to 3-4 cups per day, but not exceeding this amount, was associated with longer telomeres in patients with severe mental disorders.
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Patients consuming up to 4 cups of coffee per day had telomere lengths comparable to a biological age five years younger than non-coffee drinkers.
How this study might affect research, practice or policy?
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Our study suggests the importance of further research investigating the role of coffee consumption in biological ageing.
