Coffee's effects on cells
Caffeine may be helping your cells live a longer, healthier life, according to research from Queen Mary University of London.
The new study, which was published in the journal Microbial Cell, provides fresh insight into how coffee can surprisingly affect how our cells react to stress and energy deficits—factors that have long been linked to aging and illness.
Through the use of "fission yeast," a single-celled creature that mimics many aspects of human cells, the researchers discovered that caffeine does more than just wake you up; it also activates AMPK, the body's "fuel guage."
A protein called AMP-activated protein kinase, or AMPK, is present in practically all cells and aids in energy regulation. By controlling growth, stress reactions, and even DNA repair, this system aids cells in adapting when energy levels fall.
According to Queen Mary geneticist and article author Babis Rallis, "Caffeine helps flip that switch," he said yesterday. "This switch, AMPK, is a major factor in how cells manage aging," he continued.
Researchers are already interested in AMPK. AMPK is also activated by metformin, one of the most commonly given medications for type 2 diabetes, which is drawing interest due to possible lifespan-extending effects.
Regular coffee users may have improved cell turnover and stress tolerance as a result of this novel connection between caffeine and AMPK.
References
Alao, J.-P., Kumar, J., Stamataki, D., & Rallis, C. (2025). Dissecting the cell cycle regulation, DNA damage sensitivity and lifespan effects of caffeine in fission yeast. Microbial Cell, 12(1), 141–156. https://doi.org/10.15698/mic2025.06.852
Rallis, C., Codlin, S., & Bähler, J. (2013). TORC1 signaling inhibition by rapamycin and caffeine affect lifespan, global gene expression, and cell proliferation of fission yeast. Aging Cell, 12(4), 563–573. https://doi.org/10.1111/acel.12080
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