Telomere length is linked to a variety of aging-related disorders and is influenced by environmental and lifestyle factors. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between coffee consumption and telomere length using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
The study utilized UK Biobank data and found that genetically predicted higher coffee consumption was not associated with telomere length. These findings suggest that coffee consumption may not have a significant impact on telomere length.
Introduction:
Telomeres are essential components of chromosomes that protect the genetic material from degradation and maintain genomic stability. They are located at the ends of linear chromosomes and consist of repetitive DNA sequences and associated proteins. Telomere shortening and dysfunction have been associated with aging, cellular senescence, and various diseases, including cancer.
In this detailed study, we will explore the structure and function of telomeres, the mechanisms of telomere repair, and the clinical implications of telomere dysfunction.

Sponk, Tryphon, Magnus Manske, User:Dietzel65, LadyofHats (Mariana Ruiz), Radio89 – This file was derived from: Eukaryote DNA.svg: Difference DNA RNA-EN.svg: Chromosome.svg: Chromosome-upright.png: Animal cell structure en.svg:
Structure of Chromosomes:
Chromosomes are composed of DNA, which is wrapped around proteins called histones. The combination of DNA and histones is called chromatin. The chromatin fiber is further organized into loops, which are attached to a protein scaffold that helps to maintain the structure of the chromosome. The region of the chromosome where the spindle fibers attach during cell division is called the centromere, while the ends of the chromosome are called telomeres.
The number and structure of chromosomes are species-specific. Humans have 46 chromosomes, with 23 pairs of chromosomes. One member of each pair is inherited from the mother, and the other from the father. The sex chromosomes determine an individual’s gender, with females having two X chromosomes and males having one X and one Y chromosome.
Function of Chromosomes:
The primary function of chromosomes is to carry the genetic information that determines an individual’s characteristics. The DNA sequence encodes the instructions for the synthesis of proteins, which carry out various cellular functions. Chromosomes also play a critical role in cell division, as they are replicated and then separated into two daughter cells. In addition, chromosomes are involved in gene regulation, which determines which genes are expressed and at what levels.
Organization and Segregation of Chromosomes:
During cell division, the chromosomes become condensed and visible under a microscope. The process of chromosome condensation is regulated by a variety of proteins, including condensins and cohesins. The condensed chromosomes are then aligned along the equator of the cell, and spindle fibers attach to the centromeres. The spindle fibers then pull the chromosomes apart, with one copy going to each daughter cell.
Errors in chromosome organization and segregation can lead to chromosomal abnormalities. For example, nondisjunction occurs when the chromosomes fail to separate properly during cell division, leading to aneuploidy, which is an abnormal number of chromosomes. Trisomy 21, which causes Down syndrome, is an example of aneuploidy.
Clinical Implications of Chromosomal Abnormalities:
Chromosomal abnormalities can lead to a variety of clinical conditions, including genetic disorders and cancer. Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome are examples of genetic disorders caused by chromosomal abnormalities. In addition, many cancers are characterized by chromosomal abnormalities, such as translocations and deletions, which can activate oncogenes or inactivate tumor suppressor genes.

wikipedia:
The average cell will divide between 50 and 70 times before cell death. As the cell divides the telomeres on the end of the chromosome get smaller. The Hayflick limit is the theoretical limit to the number of times a cell may divide until the telomere becomes so short that division is inhibited and the cell enters senescence.
Structure of Telomeres:
Telomeres consist of tandem repeats of short DNA sequences, usually 5′-TTAGGG-3′, which are typically 10-15 kb in length in humans. These repetitive sequences are bound by a complex of proteins, including shelterin, which protects the telomeres from degradation and fusion with other chromosomes. The shelterin complex includes six proteins: TRF1, TRF2, POT1, TPP1, RAP1, and TIN2, which play various roles in telomere maintenance and function.
Function of Telomeres:
The primary function of telomeres is to protect the ends of chromosomes from degradation and fusion with other chromosomes. Telomeres also play a role in regulating cellular senescence and proliferation. During cell division, the DNA polymerase cannot replicate the very ends of the chromosomes, leading to progressive telomere shortening. Eventually, the telomeres become critically short, triggering cellular senescence or apoptosis. This process is known as the Hayflick limit and is thought to be a key mechanism in aging and age-related diseases.
Telomere Repair:
There are two main mechanisms of telomere repair: homologous recombination (HR) and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). HR is a high-fidelity repair mechanism that utilizes a homologous DNA template to repair the broken DNA strand. In contrast, NHEJ is an error-prone repair mechanism that simply joins the broken ends of the DNA strand. Both mechanisms can repair telomeres, but HR is the preferred mechanism as it maintains the telomere length and structure more accurately.
Clinical Implications of Telomere Dysfunction:
Telomere dysfunction has been associated with a variety of diseases, including cancer, pulmonary fibrosis, and dyskeratosis congenita (DC). In cancer, telomerase, the enzyme that adds telomere repeats to the ends of chromosomes, is frequently upregulated, allowing cancer cells to proliferate indefinitely.
In pulmonary fibrosis, telomere shortening leads to impaired lung function and fibrosis. In DC, mutations in telomere-associated genes result in short telomeres and a range of clinical symptoms, including bone marrow failure and an increased risk of cancer.
Coffee is one of the most commonly consumed beverages worldwide and has been studied for its effect on health. While coffee has been associated with a reduced risk of several health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes and liver cancer, the relationship between coffee consumption and telomere length, a biological marker of aging, remains unclear.
Telomeres are DNA sequences located at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division. Shortened telomeres are associated with a variety of aging-related disorders, including cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and cancer. Telomere length is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors, including lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, exercise, and diet.
Coffee Consumption and Telomere Length
Several studies have investigated the relationship between coffee consumption and telomere length, but the results have been inconsistent. Some studies have found a positive correlation between coffee consumption and telomere length, while others have found no association. The varying results may be due to differences in study design, sample size, and coffee type.
Mendelian randomization (MR) is a statistical method that utilizes genetic variants as instrumental variables to examine causal relationships between exposures and outcomes. MR has been used in previous studies to investigate the causal association between coffee consumption and several health outcomes, but its application to telomere length has been limited.
This study aimed to investigate the causal relationship between coffee consumption and telomere length using MR analysis, utilizing UK Biobank data.
Methods:
This study utilized data from the UK Biobank, a large population-based study that collected genetic and health information from over 500,000 individuals aged 40-69 years old. The study included 112,509 individuals of European ancestry with available genetic and telomere length data.
Coffee consumption was assessed using a self-reported questionnaire, and genetic variants associated with coffee consumption were identified using a genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis.
Two-sample MR analysis was used to examine the causal association between genetically predicted coffee consumption and telomere length. The MR analysis utilized two sets of genetic variants: instrumental variables for coffee consumption and instrumental variables for telomere length. The study also conducted sensitivity analyses to assess potential sources of bias, such as horizontal pleiotropy.
Results:
The study found that genetically predicted higher coffee consumption was not associated with telomere length. The effect estimate was -0.008 (95% CI: -0.037, 0.022) for telomere length per standard deviation increase in genetically predicted coffee consumption. The sensitivity analyses showed similar results, suggesting that the findings were robust to potential sources of bias.
Discussion:
This study utilized MR analysis to investigate the causal relationship between coffee consumption and telomere length. The results suggest that genetically predicted higher coffee consumption is not associated with telomere length. These findings are consistent with several previous studies that found no significant association between coffee consumption and telomere length. However, the study has several limitations, including the use of self-reported coffee consumption data and the potential for unmeasured confounding.
In conclusion
Furthermore, the study conducted by Ruan et al. revealed that coffee consumption was negatively associated with telomere length in a dose-response manner. The authors found that each additional cup of coffee consumed per day was associated with a 0.021 kb shorter telomere length.
This negative association was more pronounced in females than males, and in those with a higher BMI. The authors speculate that this difference may be due to sex hormone differences and the metabolic effects of coffee consumption.
The study has some limitations, such as the lack of information on the type of coffee consumed (instant or brewed), the method of coffee preparation, and the inclusion of only European ancestry participants. These factors may affect the health effects of coffee consumption and may limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations.
However, this study has several strengths. First, it is a large-scale study with a sample size of 451,216 participants, providing a more robust and reliable estimate of the association between coffee consumption and telomere length. Second, the study used a MR analysis to investigate the causal relationship between coffee consumption and telomere length, which can provide more reliable and unbiased estimates of causality.
In conclusion, the study conducted by Ruan et al. suggests that higher coffee consumption is negatively associated with telomere length, indicating a potential link between coffee consumption and accelerated biological aging. The findings of this study have important implications for public health and emphasize the need for further research to understand the mechanisms underlying this association and to identify the specific components of coffee that may be responsible for the observed effect.
Future studies should also investigate the potential impact of different types of coffee and methods of preparation on telomere length, as well as examine the potential for sex-specific effects.
Furthermore, the study conducted by Ruan et al. revealed that coffee consumption was negatively associated with telomere length in a dose-response manner. The authors found that each additional cup of coffee consumed per day was associated with a 0.021 kb shorter telomere length. This negative association was more pronounced in females than males, and in those with a higher BMI.
The authors speculate that this difference may be due to sex hormone differences and the metabolic effects of coffee consumption.
The study has some limitations, such as the lack of information on the type of coffee consumed (instant or brewed), the method of coffee preparation, and the inclusion of only European ancestry participants. These factors may affect the health effects of coffee consumption and may limit the generalizability of the findings to other populations.
However, this study has several strengths. First, it is a large-scale study with a sample size of 451,216 participants, providing a more robust and reliable estimate of the association between coffee consumption and telomere length. Second, the study used a MR analysis to investigate the causal relationship between coffee consumption and telomere length, which can provide more reliable and unbiased estimates of causality.
In conclusion, the study conducted by Ruan et al. suggests that higher coffee consumption is negatively associated with telomere length, indicating a potential link between coffee consumption and accelerated biological aging. The findings of this study have important implications for public health and emphasize the need for further research to understand the mechanisms underlying this association and to identify the specific components of coffee that may be responsible for the observed effect.
Future studies should also investigate the potential impact of different types of coffee and methods of preparation on telomere length, as well as examine the potential for sex-specific effects.
referencce link https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15061354