New Research Highlights Coffee's Role in Slowing Ageing and Enhancing Longevity

Coffee: A Potential Ally Against Ageing

New Delhi, June 28: If you cherish your morning coffee, recent research suggests it may do more than just perk you up; it could also play a role in slowing down the ageing process and promoting a longer life.

Caffeine has been associated with various health advantages, including a lower risk of diseases related to ageing.

A study conducted by scientists at Queen Mary University of London has uncovered how caffeine interacts within human cells and its relationship with nutrient and stress-responsive gene and protein networks.

The findings indicate that caffeine influences ageing by engaging an ancient cellular energy mechanism.

Specifically, caffeine activates a crucial system known as AMPK, which acts as a cellular energy sensor conserved throughout evolution in both yeast and humans.

Dr. Charalampos (Babis) Rallis, a Reader in Genetics, Genomics, and Fundamental Cell Biology at Queen Mary’s University, explained, “When energy levels in cells drop, AMPK activates to assist them.”

“Our findings demonstrate that caffeine can trigger this response,” Rallis noted, as detailed in their publication in the journal Microbial Cell.

Interestingly, AMPK is also the target of metformin, a widely used diabetes medication that is being researched for its potential to prolong human life, alongside rapamycin.

Utilizing a yeast model, the researchers illustrated that caffeine's impact on AMPK affects cellular growth, DNA repair, and stress responses, all of which are linked to ageing and disease.

Dr. John-Patrick Alao, the postdoctoral research scientist leading the study, remarked, “These results provide insight into why caffeine may be advantageous for health and longevity.”

“They also pave the way for exciting future research on how we might harness these effects through diet, lifestyle changes, or new medications,” Alao added.