High Polyphenol Intake Linked to Lower Risk of Short Telomeres in Spanish Study

Eating fruit and drinking a cup of coffee a day could halve the risk of cells ageing unhealthily, according to research presented at a scientific congress. Foods rich in polyphenols such as berries, apples, coffee, cocoa and tea have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The study found these foods are also associated with a lower risk of short telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of DNA strands.

When telomeres become shorter, the risk of cell death and unhealthy cellular ageing increases. Researchers from the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, measured telomere length in blood samples from more than 1,700 adults in 2008 and again in 2015. They also assessed the participants’ total polyphenol consumption over that period.

The study reported that compared with those who consumed the least polyphenols, participants with the highest amounts in their diets had a 52% lower risk of short telomeres. Moderate coffee consumption of up to one cup per day was associated with a 26% lower risk of short telomeres compared with non-consumers.

Four to five servings of fruit a day were also linked to a lower risk, with those consuming the most fruit having a 29% lower risk of short telomeres compared with those who ate the least.

Other polyphenol-rich foods, including olive oil, red wine and vegetables, showed no observed association with the risk of shorter telomeres. Shorter telomeres have been linked to a higher risk of several age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers and overall mortality.

The lead author of the study said: "Our findings point to a broader message: a diet rich in polyphenols, including foods like fruits and coffee, may be one piece of the puzzle in supporting healthier cellular ageing.

The professor added that clinical studies show these compounds can lower blood pressure and support blood vessel and brain function as people age. A professor of nutrition at the University of Reading urged caution, noting that measuring polyphenol intake accurately is very difficult.

The professor added that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables is linked to longer telomeres and potentially healthier ageing, but it is hard to separate the effects of polyphenols from the overall benefits of eating plant-based foods.