Pros And Cons Of Seniors Having Coffee

There is no doubt in this that seniors enjoy having coffee more than the other age groups. The statistics reveal that nearly three-quarters of American seniors aged 55 or above drink at least one cup of coffee a day. 

Drinking a few cups a day can affect seniors’ energy and mood levels positively but drinking too much coffee can cause trouble to seniors while sleeping and might also lead to other health conditions. 

It is necessary to manage coffee consumption to prevent the side effects of it on seniors’ health. Here are some of the effects coffee may have on seniors’ bodies and health. 

Benefits Of Drinking Coffee For Seniors 

Reduces risk of chronic conditions

Drinking coffee in the morning is known to improve the cognitive functions among seniors and also reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as depression, Parkinson’s, Type-2 Diabetes, and live disease. 

Decreased risk of dementia and Alzheimer

According to a study on Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Dementia, individuals who consumed 3-5 cups of coffee daily in midlife reduced their risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease by approximately 65% in later life. The protective effects were attributed to the consumption of dark roast coffee and the role of caffeine in dementia prevention is still being researched.

Reduces heart failure 

Another positive effect of drinking coffee in moderation is that it reduces the risk of heart failure. Seniors consuming 1 or 2 cups of coffee a day are less likely to have cardiovascular disease. 

Drawbacks Of Drinking Coffee

Anxiety and headaches 

Seniors drinking more than 4 cups of coffee a day can lead to anxiety, headaches and heart palpitations. Besides this, it can also upset seniors’ stomachs and cause them trouble while sleeping. 

Dehydration and increased blood pressure 

Another drawback of drinking too much coffee is dehydration and increased blood pressure. One of the top reasons why seniors aged 65 or above get hospitalized is dehydration. 

Foods having caffeine 

Even if seniors are drinking only one or two cups of coffee a day, other foods can add to the caffeine intake during the day.  Foods having caffeine content include chocolate, protein bars, pain relievers, cocoa, tea, soda, or pudding. 

Recommended caffeine intake for seniors 

The recommended coffee intake for seniors daily should be 400 milligrams. The caregivers and the family members need to monitor the caffeine intake of seniors including other foods and beverages.