Do you love instant coffee? It probably affects your aging rate
A new study based on data from about 50,000 participants found a link between filtered coffee and indicators of slower biological aging, while instant coffee was linked to the opposite trend. The researchers emphasize: this is an observational study that does not prove causality.
A new, groundbreaking study published in the journal npj Science of Food reveals that the way you prepare your coffee may be just as significant as the amount you drink. The study, based on data from approximately 50,000 participants from the UK Biobank, found significant differences between filtered coffee and instant coffee regarding biological aging.
While the consumption of filtered coffee was found to be associated with slowing biological aging, instant coffee showed an inverse relationship — an acceleration of these aging processes.
The findings showed that filtered coffee consumers enjoyed longer telomeres (genetic markers for cellular aging) and lower "age acceleration" scores, while consumers of instant coffee exhibited a trend toward shorter telomeres and accelerated biological age.
Explaining the gap: Why is filtered coffee better than instant?
Researchers offer several scientific explanations for the fascinating gap found between the two types of beverages:
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Processing methods and chemical compounds: The main differences likely stem from how the coffee is processed. Filtered coffee tends to contain higher levels of chlorogenic acid, a compound with proven anti-inflammatory properties and metabolic benefits. In contrast, the production processes of instant coffee may alter the composition of these compounds.
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Impact on metabolism: It was found that the effect of filtered coffee on slowing aging is partially mediated by an improvement in the basal metabolic rate (BMR) and levels of cystatin C (a marker for kidney function and general health).
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Inflammatory mediators: A protein called glycoprotein acetylation (GlycA), which serves as a marker for chronic inflammation in the body, was found to be a key mediating factor. It explained about 24% to 35% of the link between instant coffee consumption and accelerated aging, suggesting that instant coffee may be associated with higher levels of inflammation in the body compared to filtered coffee.
It is important to note that despite the significant findings, the impact of instant coffee on biological age at an individual level is small (an acceleration of about 0.1 to 0.2 years), but it has broad significance at the public health level, especially in countries where instant coffee consumption is very high.
Additionally, since this is an observational study, it cannot be determined with certainty that the type of coffee is the direct cause of the changes, and it is possible that other lifestyle factors influence the results.
