Seniors, what are your favorite drinks? Is it cola, iced tea, hot cocoa, or coffee? It seems like any of the good drinks are somehow bad for seniors. They can either be too sweet and unhealthy or too caffeinated and unhealthy. Either way, they are always harmful. Or so it would seem. In this post, we will focus on whether there are benefits of coffee for seniors.
Of all the drinks out there, coffee seems to get a very mixed reaction among people. Some people love it and would die for it. Others give coffee such a bad rap because of how unhealthy it is. But let’s consider for a moment the potential health benefits of coffee for seniors.
Does Coffee Have Health Benefits for Seniors?
Let’s begin by examining the nutritional contents of a cup of joe.
According to Medical News Today, Coffee contains quite several valuable and beneficial nutrients. These nutrients are vitamin B-2 (riboflavin), vitamin B-3 (niacin), magnesium, potassium, antioxidants, many phenolic compounds, and of course, caffeine.
Experts looked into the effects of these nutrients and more on the human body. Here’s what they found out.
Slightly Improves Cognition
Let’s first examine the effects of the substance for which coffee is known: caffeine. Caffeine is primarily known for its stimulating effects. As such, it highly improves alertness and brain activity.
Caffeine contributes to the prevention of mild cognitive impairment among aging adults. At most, it can help prevent dementia. At the very least, it can delay the onset of dementia. For example, Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE) found that caffeine helps decrease the chances of lifetime risk of dementia among middle-aged people who consume coffee.
Additionally, several studies show that regular coffee drinkers lower their chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease by as much as 65%.
Protects Against Type 2 Diabetes
Studies after studies say that coffee, either caffeinated or non-caffeinated, helps reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. Increasing coffee consumption by one cup a day over four years chops off 11% of the chance of getting type 2 diabetes. In addition, an increased intake of coffee is acknowledged for a lower risk of metabolic syndrome.
Coffee raises blood glucose levels and contributes to insulin resistance. Cafestol, a bioactive compound present in coffee, is responsible for increased insulin levels and reduced glucose levels.
Better for Heart Health
A cup of coffee a week keeps bad heart health away. That should be a new saying, at least as far as a new study suggests. The study kept track of 2750 people over 34 years. They discovered that even just a cup of coffee per week is responsible for a 7% decrease in the risk of stroke and an 8% decreased risk of heart failure.
However, the techniques used in the study do not make any statements about coffee and better heart health, the experts warn. The study merely showed connections. It displays correlation, not direct causation. More studies are needed to make the connections between coffee consumption and heart health conclusive. Still, the data suggest that coffee can help anyone attain better heart health.
Better Psychological Health
Coffee may improve cognitive health. But that is not the only thing it does for the brain. Depression is a severe mental disorder that cripples the quality of life. Unfortunately, depression is also widespread among seniors who feel lonely and helpless. Fortunately, many methods help combat depression. One of those methods is coffee consumption.
A Harvard study in 2011 showed that women who drank at least 4 cups of coffee per day had a 20% decreased risk of suffering from depression. Another study showed that drinking four or more cups of coffee every day reduces the likelihood of suicidal death by 53%.
Lower Risk of Some Types of Cancer
So far, there is no absolute cure for cancer. But some treatments battle cancer and prevent it. Who would have known that coffee helps combat cancer? Coffee is protective against two types of cancer. First, it helps prevent liver and colorectal cancer. These two types of cancer are the third and fourth causes of cancer death globally, respectively.
People who regularly drink coffee have up to 40% less risk of developing liver cancer. Meanwhile, people who drink 4 to 5 cups of coffee per day lower their risk of colorectal cancer by 15%.
Another type of cancer from which coffee offers protection is oral cancer. Just 8 ounces of regular coffee daily cuts the risk of developing oral cancer by half.
Protection from Parkinson’s Disease
Another benefit of drinking coffee is the reduced risk of getting Parkinson’s disease. Men who drink over four cups of coffee every day have as much as five times less risk of developing Parkinson’s disease than men who do not.
Additionally, coffee also helps improve the situation of those who already have Parkinson’s disease. They have better mobility and can control their movements better.
Longer Lifespan
With the many diseases that coffee helps combat, it is not a surprise that many regular coffee drinkers have a longer lifespan on average. An AARP-NIH study showed that an individual who regularly drinks coffee has a reduced risk of overall death. The collection of biologically active and potent compounds in coffee help protect the human body from many diseases.
Everything is Good – In Moderation
Now that we’ve seen the many health benefits of coffee, is it now your favorite drink? Unfortunately, too much of everything is dangerous. Even if coffee has several health benefits, too much of it is not suitable for your health.
Maintain balance and moderation. A balanced and healthy diet and regular exercise are your most effective tools for maintaining your health.
But what if, seniors, you don’t have the means to maintain a healthy and balanced diet? Or to regularly exercise? Then seek help.
Infinite Love Homecare is dedicated to helping seniors such as yourself get the most out of life. We offer our services, including getting groceries, meal preparation, transportation, mobility assistance, or even simple companionship.
Call us at (949)-529-4130 to talk to our managers. Or you can visit the Infinite Love Homecare office at City Tower, 333 City Blvd W Suite, 1700, Orange, CA 92868, United States.