New research seems to suggest that the antiaging benefits of coffee may be tied to an “ancient cellular trigger.”
Our regular readers know that moderate coffee consumption could provide some considerable health benefits and may even promote longevity. However, the mechanisms through which the elixir works its magic remain largely speculative.
While many point to the all-encompassing “anti-inflammatory” chemical properties of coffee, new research suggests that coffee’s contribution to extended lifespans may be tied to caffeine and an ancient cellular pathway shared by humans and yeast.
Led by a team at Queen Mary University of London (UK) and recently published in the journal Microbial Cell, the study found that caffeine potentially taps into the body’s mechanisms for managing stress, energy, and aging.
Key Takeaways From This Study:
The researchers postulated several mechanisms of action by which your morning cup of Joe may slow aging. Primarily, though, a key enzyme known as AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), often referred to as the cell’s “fuel gauge.” AMPK helps regulate energy balance within cells.
- AMPK is the same molecular target of metformin, a widely used diabetes drug that is being studied for its antiaging potential, according to the university.
- Previous work by the same team had shown that caffeine can inhibit TOR (Target of Rapamycin), a growth regulator involved in aging and energy metabolism.
- The new research suggests that caffeine doesn’t work directly through TOR, but instead activates AMPK, which then influences TOR activity indirectly. This cascading effect has significant implications for how caffeine might modulate processes like DNA repair, stress resistance, and cell division.
You can read the complete study titled Dissecting the cell cycle regulation, DNA damage sensitivity and lifespan effects of caffeine in fission yeast, by clicking on the link.