{
  "abstract": "Objective Telomere length (TL) is an indicator of cellular ageing, with patients with severe mental disorders tending to have shorter telomeres than the general population. Coffee consumption may reduce oxidative stress, helping prevent biological ageing processes like telomeric shortening. The UK National Health Service advises limiting caffeine intake to 400 mg/day (4 cups of coffee). However, the role of coffee consumption and TL in psychiatric populations remains unclear.Methods This cross-sectional study included 436 participants (schizophrenia spectrum (n=259) and affective disorders (n=177)) from the Norwegian TOP study. Leucocyte TL was measured via blood using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Patients self-reported coffee consumption, quantified as cups per day (no coffee, 1–2, 3–4, 5+).Results An inverted J-shape was found between TL and coffee intake, peaking at 3–4 cups/day before declining after 4 cups (F=3.29, p=0.02). The largest TL difference was between those drinking the highest recommended dose and non-drinkers (F=6.13, p=0.01). Coffee drinkers within the recommended dose had longer TL, comparable to 5 years younger biological age, adjusted for confounders.Conclusion Coffee intake within the recommended dose is linked to longer telomeres in severe mental disorders, comparable to 5 years younger biological age.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Vid Mlakar"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK",
        "South London and Maudsley Mental Health NHS Trust, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Marta Di Forti"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK",
        "Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Els F Halff"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK",
        "MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Deepak P Srivastava"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway",
        "Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Ibrahim Akkouh"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Medical Genetics, Oslo University Hospital and University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway",
        "Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Srdjan Djurovic"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Ageing Research Laboratories, Campus for Ageing and Vitality, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Carmen Martin-Ruiz"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway",
        "Department of Rare Disorders and Disabilities, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Daniel S Quintana"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Viktoria Birkenæs"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway",
        "Section for Clinical Psychosis Research, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway",
        "Department of Psychiatric Research, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Nils Eiel Steen"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Monica BEG Ormerod"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Centre for Precision Psychiatry, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, University of Oslo and Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway"
      ],
      "name": "Ole A Andreassen"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK",
        "Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK"
      ],
      "name": "Monica Aas"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Coffee intake is associated with telomere length in severe mental disorders",
  "uid": "727345b9-dc46-54d2-8cf6-19e3c51f5d2a"
}