A new study suggests that consuming fruit and a cup of coffee a day could halve the risk of cells ageing unhealthily. Foods rich in polyphenols, such as berries, apples, coffee, cocoa, and tea, are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, this research indicates they are also associated with a lower risk of short telomeres—the caps of DNA that, when shorter, increase the risk of cell death and unhealthy ageing.
Study Details
Researchers from the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, measured telomere length in samples from over 1,700 adults in 2008 and again in 2015. They assessed participants' total polyphenol consumption. The study, presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, found that those with the highest polyphenol intake had a 52% lower risk of short telomeres compared to those with the lowest intake.
Key Findings
- Moderate coffee consumption (up to one cup per day) was linked to a 26% lower risk of short telomeres.
- Four to five servings of fruit daily were associated with a 29% lower risk.
- Other polyphenol-rich foods like olive oil, red wine, and vegetables did not show a significant effect on telomere length.
Shorter telomeres have been linked to a higher risk of age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, and overall mortality.
Expert Opinions
Isabella Kury Guzmán, lead author of the study, stated: "Our findings point to a broader message: a diet rich in polyphenols, including foods like fruits and coffee, may be one piece of the puzzle in supporting healthier cellular ageing. This is not about one 'anti-ageing' food, but about the cumulative effect of everyday dietary choices over time."
Ana Rodriguez-Mateos, a professor of human nutrition at King's College London, commented: "Polyphenols have been linked to a lower risk of age-related diseases, including heart disease and cognitive decline. Clinical studies show that consumption of these compounds can lower blood pressure and support blood vessel and brain function as we age. This study adds to growing evidence that diets rich in polyphenols may support healthier ageing."
However, Gunter Kuhnle, a professor of nutrition at the University of Reading, urged caution, noting that measuring polyphenol intake accurately is difficult. "It is not surprising that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has potential health benefits," he said. "A diet rich in plant foods is linked to longer telomeres and potentially healthier ageing. But because plant-based foods are the main source of polyphenols, it is very difficult to distinguish between whether that healthier ageing is due specifically to the polyphenols or the fact of eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables."
