Does your morning coffee may make you feel invincible? There may be some truth to that, as new research explains how coffee helps protect against aging and chronic disease.
In the study, published in the journal Nutrients in March 2026, researchers at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences found coffee can activate NR4A1, a receptor in the body recognized for its role in aging, stress response and disease.
These findings offer a potential explanation for the drink's widespread health effects, which has previously been associated with reduced risk of cognitive decline and more.
In the study, researchers looked at what compounds in the coffee influenced the receptor's activity. And caffeine wasn't the standout − instead, it was compounds like polyhydroxy and plant-based polyphenolic that were "much more active," explained study author and professor Dr. Stephen Safe in a news release.
"This may help explain why both regular and decaffeinated coffee have been associated with similar health benefits in large population studies," the news release added.
