Most of us turn to coffee for a quick boost in the morning—but new research suggests that caffeine may also be helping our cells stay younger for longer.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London have discovered how caffeine might slow down cellular aging.
The findings, published in the journal Microbial Cell, reveal that caffeine doesn’t just wake us up—it may also switch on key cellular systems that help fight aging.
For years, studies have linked caffeine to various health benefits, including a lower risk of age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s and heart disease.
But until now, scientists didn’t fully understand how caffeine works at the microscopic level to influence aging. This new study sheds light on that mystery.
To make this discovery, the researchers studied fission yeast—a tiny single-celled organism.
While yeast might seem far removed from humans, its cellular machinery is surprisingly similar to ours.
That makes it a useful model for exploring how certain compounds, like caffeine, affect the aging process.
Previously, the same team had shown that caffeine helps cells live longer by influencing a protein system called TOR (short for “target of rapamycin”).
TOR acts like a growth switch in cells, turning on when there’s enough food and energy to allow cells to grow and divide. This system is very ancient—it’s been guiding growth and energy use in organisms for over 500 million years.
But the new study revealed something surprising: caffeine doesn’t act directly on TOR. Instead, it activates a different system called AMPK, often referred to as a “cellular fuel gauge.”
When cells are low on energy, AMPK helps them conserve resources, repair damage, and cope with stress. Caffeine, the researchers found, helps flip this internal switch—supporting healthier cell function over time.
Interestingly, AMPK is also the target of metformin, a common diabetes drug that is currently being studied for its anti-aging potential, along with rapamycin (a compound that directly targets TOR). Both of these drugs are being explored for their ability to slow aging and extend healthy lifespan.
By using yeast cells, the scientists were able to show that caffeine’s boost to AMPK helped regulate how cells grow, manage stress, and repair their DNA—all vital processes in slowing aging and preventing disease.
Dr. John-Patrick Alao, who led the study, says the findings could help pave the way for new therapies—or even lifestyle changes—that support healthy aging.
And while more research is needed to see how these results apply to humans, one thing is clear: your daily cup of coffee might be doing more for you than just clearing brain fog. It could also be quietly supporting your cells in the fight against time.
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Source: Queen Mary, University of London.
