Coffee Is Actually Good For Senior Health

Coffee Is Actually Good For Senior Health

The number of Americans drinking a daily cup of coffee is at the highest level since 2012 with 74% of adults aged 55 and older consuming it daily. Coffee has been the world’s favorite drink for decades ever since the boom of in-home coffee makers brought the drink into the householdfor people to enjoy. This caffeine-filled drink can not only help jump start your morning before heading off to work, it is actually packed with a lot of healthy vitamins and antioxidants that can benefit seniors specifically.

Benefits of drinking coffee

The great thing about coffee is that it has no calories but is filled with a host of health benefits, one of the biggest being antioxidants. Coffee is packed with polyphenols, a group of antioxidants that you can find infoods such as chocolate, wine, and berries. This group of antioxidants helps fight free radicals that are known to speed up the aging process. You will also get an extra boost of daily vitamins, with studies showing that if you drink upto three cups a day you’ll get 11% of the RDA of Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), 6% of Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5), 3% of Manganese and Potassium, and 2% of Magnesium and Niacin (B3). And, while not necessarily a health benefit, there are also a lot of coffee brands that support veterans or are owned by veterans, which means that by consuming their product you are effectively giving back to your own community.

Caffeine’s effect on seniors

The average US coffee consumer drinks 2.7 cups of coffee per day, and while caffeine itself is not bad, it is important to understand the effects that too much caffeine can have on older adults. One of the biggest reasons to monitor your coffee intake is because it can lead to dehydration. Acting as a diuretic, coffee will leave you feeling parched and thirsty if you consume more than five cups aday. It is recommended that seniors stick to no more than three cups to avoid this issue. As well, if you have a sensitive stomach, are prone to heartburn or experience high blood pressure naturally, you can still consume coffee but should drink no more than an average of one cup per day. To avoid an upset stomach, ensure that you are brewing your coffee right in order to prevent an acidic taste.

Everything is good in moderation

All good things should be enjoyed in moderation, and that includes your favorite hot beverage. Exploring new ways to brew a cup of joe can be a great way to engage in a new hobby and keep your mind agile while also enjoying new tastes and smells. Always be sure to drink enough water and balance your diet out with healthy foods and vitamins and you will find that coffee can be a great morning treat as part of a well-rounded lifestyle.