A recently published investigation from Norway, featured in BMJ Mental Health, has drawn attention after finding that drinking three to four cups of coffee per day may be associated with slower biological ageing in adults with severe psychiatric conditions.
The research focused on people living with complex disorders such as psychosis, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder — conditions previously linked to faster cellular wear-and-tear. Scientists analysed data from 436 adults, recruited between 2007 and 2018, as part of a long-term programme examining psychotic illness.
Participants reported their daily intake of coffee and were grouped according to consumption habits, ranging from non-drinkers to those consuming five or more cups each day. Blood samples were then used to assess the length of telomeres, protective genetic structures at the ends of chromosomes often described as markers of biological ageing.
Moderate Drinking Associated With Longer Telomeres
According to the findings, individuals consuming up to four cups per day displayed longer telomeres when compared with those who did not drink coffee — the equivalent of nearly five years’ difference in biological age. However, those drinking five cups or more did not appear to gain the same advantage.
The research team noted that people diagnosed with schizophrenia were more likely to report higher coffee intake than those with affective disorders, such as bipolar disorder or major depression with psychosis.
Possible Mechanisms: Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Although observational in nature — meaning it cannot prove cause and effect — the study highlights mechanisms that could explain its outcome. Coffee contains numerous compounds with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which scientists believe may help protect telomeres from damage.
Telomeres are known to shorten naturally over time, but exposure to oxidative stress can hasten the process. Researchers noted that patients with severe mental illness often experience changes in biological pathways linked to inflammation, making the potential protective effect of coffee an area of growing interest.
However, experts cautioned that excessive caffeine could have the opposite result, contributing to oxidative damage. The World Health Organization recommends a maximum of 400 mg of caffeine per day — roughly equivalent to four cups of coffee.
Health Implications
While further research is required, the findings suggest that moderate coffee consumption may play a supportive role in healthy ageing, particularly among people already vulnerable to accelerated cellular decline. For healthcare providers, especially in European countries and Brazil, where coffee culture is strong, the results reopen discussion on lifestyle recommendations in psychiatric care.
Still, clinicians emphasise that coffee should complement — not replace — established therapeutic strategies. Balanced nutrition, sleep regulation, medication adherence and psychological support remain fundamental to long-term well-being.