The Longevity Latte – Low Caffeine, Long Life

Show notes

Can a tiny dose of caffeine help a worm live longer? In this episode, we explore how C. elegans responds to the world’s favourite stimulant. Researchers show that low-dose caffeine extends lifespan, while higher doses flip into toxicity — revealing a fine balance between metabolic stress, development, and purinergic signalling.

We cover:

• How small amounts of caffeine boost survival in C. elegans

• Why high doses shorten lifespan and slow development

• Effects on growth, body size, and reproduction

• How adenosine signalling partially controls caffeine’s impact

• Why the DAF-2 insulin/IGF-1 pathway is required for the longevity effect

• What this teaches us about conserved stimulant–ageing biology

It’s the worm equivalent of a perfectly measured flat white — just enough buzz to help you thrive.

Based on the research article:

“Lifespan Extension Induced by Caffeine in Caenorhabditis elegans is Partially Dependent on Adenosine Signaling”

José C. Bridi, Arthur G.A. Barros, Laura R. Sampaio, João C.D. Ferreira, Fabiano A. Antunes Soares & Marcos A. Romano-Silva.

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience (2015)

🔗 https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2015.00220

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This podcast is generated with artificial intelligence and curated by Veeren. If you’d like your publication featured on the show, please get in touch.

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