A groundbreaking study published in 2025 reveals that caffeine—long cherished for its stimulating effects—may also play a direct role in slowing cellular aging. The research, led by scientists at Queen Mary University of London and published in the journal Microbial Cell, used fission yeast as a model organism due to its striking similarities to human cells in managing energy, DNA repair, and response to stress.

Researchers found that caffeine significantly extended the chronological lifespan of yeast. This benefit was amplified when cells were exposed to stress conditions, such as nutrient deprivation or DNA-damaging agents. At the heart of this discovery is the activation of AMPK, a highly conserved enzyme known as the cell’s “fuel gauge.” When triggered by low energy or stress—or, as this research shows, by caffeine—AMPK shifts the cell into survival mode, promoting DNA repair and stress resistance. This is the same pathway being explored for anti-aging therapies in humans, including drugs like metformin.

Caffeine’s effects are highly specific. Rather than providing a generic boost, the compound acts through defined proteins, particularly the AMPK complex, to reprogram cellular behavior under stress. The research also demonstrated caffeine’s ability to override certain DNA damage checkpoints, helping cells maintain function while repairing genetic material. Conversely, in some cases, it increased sensitivity to DNA damage, underlining the importance of genetic context.

While these results are promising, the scientists emphasize that their findings are based on yeast models—organisms chosen for their remarkable resemblance to human cellular pathways, but still much simpler than human biology. The complexity of human physiology means that further research is needed before directly translating these results to people.

This new perspective on caffeine could help explain why regular coffee consumption is often linked to reduced risk of age-related diseases in human population studies. Ultimately, it sparks new interest in designing therapies or dietary strategies that mimic caffeine’s beneficial effects on cellular aging and resilience.