Coffee consumption linked to slower cellular aging in people with severe mental illness

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journal BMJ Mental Health . People living with severe mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, often experience a reduced life expectancy relative to the general population. This premature mortality frequently connects to higher rates of cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, and other physical health problems. Researchers suspect these health issues point toward an accelerated biological aging process within the body. To track this biological aging, scientists often look at structures called telomeres. Telomeres are sequences of DNA located at the very ends of human chromosomes. They function much like the plastic tips on the ends of shoelaces, preventing the genetic material from fraying or degrading. During cell division, the biological machinery that copies DNA cannot reach the very tip of the chromosome. Because of this mechanical limitation, a...