Texas researchers show how coffee may fight aging

Zoom in: Compounds in coffee may work by activating a protein in the body that's part of a family of receptors that help regulate our gene activity in response to stress.

• The protein is involved in inflammation, metabolism and tissue repair — all tied to age-related diseases.

What they're saying: "If you damage almost any tissue, [the protein] responds to bring that damage down," Stephen Safe, distinguished professor and Sid Kyle Endowed Chair in Veterinary Toxicology in the university's Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, said in a statement.

• "If you take that receptor away, the damage is worse."

💭 Megan's thought bubble: It's nice to think that drinking coffee daily may help ensure I have even more days in my life left to keep drinking coffee.