Drinking coffee ‘could be the key to a long life’ - and now scientists know why

Coffee drinkers tend to live longer than people who don’t enjoy a morning cup – but this fact has puzzled scientists for years.

Now Stanford University researchers may have worked out why drinking coffee (or tea) is so good for us.

The researchers believe that caffeine may block inflammation – something which plays a key role in heart disease and other serious illnesses.

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The researchers looked at data from ongoing studies involving people aged 20-30 and people aged 50 – and found that people with a high caffeine intake had lower levels of chemicals in the blood which promote inflammation.

David Furman of Stanford University said, ‘More than 90 per cent of all noncommunicable diseases of aging are associated with chronic inflammation.’

‘It’s also well known that caffeine intake is associated with longevity. Many studies have shown this association. We’ve found a possible reason for why this may be so.’