The Worm Podcast19 Nov 2025

EPISODE 33: The Longevity Latte – Low Caffeine, Long Life

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.

📩 More info:

🔗 ⁠⁠www.veerenchauhan.com⁠⁠

📧 veeren.chauhan@nottingham.ac.uk

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