Does caffeine increase your health and longevity? The latest research shows surprising facts!
Hello, this is John! Do you drink coffee or tea every day? For many of you, it's an indispensable cup of coffee to wake you up in the morning or to take a break while working. Recently, surprising research results have been reported that caffeine, which is contained in drinks that are familiar to us, may help with "healthy aging," or in other words, healthy longevity!
Some of you may be wondering, "Hey, doesn't caffeine have bad effects on the body?" It's true that too much caffeine is bad for you, but this research seems to give us a new perspective on how to deal with caffeine in the right way. Today, I'd like to introduce the contents of this latest research in an easy-to-understand way, even for those with no specialized knowledge, and also provide practical tips on what to drink and what to avoid!
First of all, what is caffeine?
Before we get into the main topic, let's first do a quick review of caffeine.
Caffeine is a natural compound found in coffee beans, tea leaves, cocoa beans (the raw material for chocolate!), etc. Once it enters our bodies, it is known to have the following effects:
- Wake up from sleepiness: It blocks the action of substances in the brain that make you feel sleepy.
- Increase your focus: It is also expected to have the effect of temporarily increasing attention and work efficiency.
- Improve athletic performance: Taking it before endurance exercise may improve performance.
Because of these effects, caffeine is used as a companion to studying or working, and is also popular among athletes. But that's not all caffeine has to offer.
The latest research reveals the surprising relationship between caffeine and longevity
Now, here's the thing: a recently published study has some very interesting results that suggest that moderate caffeine intake may have beneficial effects on our health and longevity.
Until now, most of the attention has been focused on caffeine for its short-term effects, such as helping you stay awake and improve your focus. However, this new study shows that caffeine may also have long-term health benefits, especially for those who are trying to get a boost from a craving."Aging Healthily"In this respect, it has been suggested that it may play a more positive role than we had thought.
Specifically, the following points are mentioned:
- Is the protective effect at the cellular level stronger than you thought? Our bodies are made up of many cells, and the rusting and damage of these cells is considered to be one of the causes of aging. Caffeine has an "antioxidant effect" that prevents this "cell rust" (technically called oxidative stress), and it has emerged that this effect may contribute to extending healthy lifespan more than previously thought. It's as ifA small shield working hard in an invisible part of the bodyIt's something like this.
- May reduce risk of certain chronic diseases: Some studies have shown that habitual caffeine consumption may be associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes and certain neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson's disease). Of course, caffeine alone won't ward off disease, but it may be useful as part of a healthy lifestyle.
- The surprising key is "quality," "timing," and "appropriate amount": It has become clear that simply consuming caffeine is not enough, but that the type of drink, when, and how much is important. This leads to the question of "what should you drink and what should you avoid?"
Although some aspects of this research are still in their infancy, it sheds light on a new side of caffeine, and we are excited to see how it develops in the future!
What to drink to live a long and healthy life? Recommended sources of caffeine
So, what kind of drinks should you get caffeine from in order to live a long and healthy life? Let's take a look at what research suggests.
- Black Coffee: The most representative example is coffee.Black coffee without added sugar, cream or artificial sweetenersCoffee is not only rich in caffeine, but also in plant-derived health components called "polyphenols." Polyphenols are also a representative substance with antioxidant properties, as mentioned earlier.
- Green tea and black tea: Green tea and black tea, which are familiar to Japanese people, are also excellent sources of caffeine. These teas contain polyphenols such as "catechin" (common in green tea) and "theaflavin" (common in black tea), which also have antioxidant properties.Green tea is one of the most healthy types of tea.This is what people often say.
The important thing isGood qualityTheAppropriate amountEnjoy it. For example, instant coffee is convenient, but coffee made from ground beans has a better aroma and may contain more polyphenols. Tea also has a deeper flavor and nutritional value if brewed in a teapot, not just with tea bags.
Caution! Avoid these ways of consuming caffeine
On the other hand, that doesn't mean that any caffeine is OK. In order to live a long and healthy life, there are some ways of consuming caffeine that should be avoided.
- Sugary energy drinks and sweet canned and bottled coffee: They do contain caffeine, but at the same timeHigh amounts of sugar, artificial sweeteners and additivesThey often contain. Excessive intake of these increases the risk of obesity and diabetes, and goes against healthy longevity. Be careful, as the disadvantages of caffeine may outweigh the benefits.
- Drinking too much (overdose): Caffeine can have a positive effect on the body if consumed in moderate amounts, but too much should not be consumed. It can cause insomnia, headaches, palpitations, and stomach discomfort. The recommended daily caffeine intake for a healthy adult isApproximately 1 mg per day(About 3-4 mugs of coffee, or 5-6 mugs of green tea) is said to be good, but this is just a guideline. The appropriate amount varies depending on your constitution and sensitivity.
- Take before bed: Caffeine's stimulating effects can backfire at night, reducing the quality of your sleep and potentially affecting how you feel the next day.About 6 hours before bedtimeIt is advisable to limit your intake of drinks that contain caffeine.
Energy drinks in particular are popular among young people because they provide an easy way to get a high, but many of them contain high amounts of caffeine and sugar, so care should be taken with consuming them habitually.
A word from John
What do you think about the results of this study and how to deal with caffeine? You may have a strong image of caffeine as something that wakes you up or makes you feel refreshed, but it's a bit surprising to learn that it may also be involved in healthy aging.
Of course, we can't achieve a long and healthy life by relying solely on caffeine. Basic lifestyle habits such as a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and good quality sleep must be a foundation. But it's nice to think that the coffee and tea we enjoy every day might be supporting our health even a little. If we can expect more positive effects just by paying a little attention to how and how much we drink, it seems worth a try!
This article is based on the following original articles and is summarized from the author's perspective:
Caffeine For Healthy Aging? The Surprising Findings From A New Study