The Pros and Cons of Seniors Drinking Coffee – Moderation is Key

Coffee is a favorite beverage among seniors. Coffee consumption among older adults surpasses any other age group; according to Statistica, almost 75% of Americans who are 55 or older drink at least one cup daily. A few cups of coffee daily may improve mood, energy, and overall health. However, consuming too much of it can exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions, interfere with sleep, and dehydrate the body. Older adults should still enjoy their daily brew, but moderation in consumption is required to avoid unwarranted adverse effects. What is the amount of coffee consumed by your elderly parents? These are a few ways that caffeine affects older adults.

The Benefits of Coffee

Many coffee lovers enjoy the increased alertness they get from their first cup in the morning. Coffee, when consumed in moderation, not only enhances cognitive abilities but also, surprisingly, lowers the risk of chronic illnesses and diseases like depression, type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and liver disease.

According to studies cited by Coffee and Health, a resource for scientific data on coffee, drinking three to four cups of "joe" every day—without sugar or cream—can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by as much as 25%. Whether they choose to drink decaffeinated or caffeinated beer, men and women alike can benefit from this. Additionally, research published by the organization indicates that drinking coffee may prevent or postpone the onset of Parkinson's disease. According to the American Parkinson's Disease Association, the combination of caffeine and eicosanoid-5-hydroxytryptamine in coffee inhibits the biochemical alterations linked to Parkinson's disease.

The advantages continue. According to a study on the relationship between aging, dementia, and cardiovascular risk factors, people who started drinking three to five cups of hot beverages every day in their middle years had a roughly 65% lower chance of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease later in life. Not the caffeine in the coffee, but the dark roast is linked to benefits. Research is still being conducted to determine whether caffeine can prevent dementia.

Reduction of heart failure is an additional benefit of moderate coffee consumption. People who drink one to four cups per day, including seniors, have a 19% lower risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.

Not-so-good-news About Coffee

Although small amounts of caffeine are not harmful to older people, the Mayo Clinic states that individuals who consume more than four cups of coffee per day may have anxiety, headaches, restlessness, and palpitations. Caffeine overindulges overstimulates the nervous system, causing jitters, upset stomachs, and difficulty sleeping in older people.

Caffeine stays in the nervous system longer in older adults over 65 because it takes them 33% longer to metabolize the stimulant than in younger adults, according to a study on its metabolic clearance. Therefore, it's likely that your aging parent's body is still processing the coffee they drank at 4 p.m., which keeps them up at night.

The adverse effects of too much caffeine also include dehydration and elevated blood pressure. One of the leading reasons for hospitalization in adults over 65 is dehydration. Dehydration can occur when coffee is consumed throughout the day instead of water when thirsty.

Because it increases the production of gastric acid and aids in the production of stomach acid, coffee can irritate the stomach lining in older people with gastritis and ulcers. According to the AARP, coffee may also lessen a medication's ability to work, which could affect the effectiveness of antidepressants, thyroid medications, and drugs used to treat stereopsis. For instance, people who drink coffee with their thyroid medication can lower its absorption by as much as 55 percent. In rare circumstances, coffee may intensify the stimulant effects of some medicines, elevating heart rate and producing jitters.

Be Wary of Other Foods Contains Caffeine

Even though your elderly loved one may only consume one or two cups of coffee daily, consider other foods that increase caffeine intake during the day. The guilty parties include:

Chocolate
Tea
Pudding
Ice cream and frozen yogurt
Soda
Pain relievers
Hot Cocoa
Energy water
Protein bars

For instance, a 12-ounce cola has roughly 50 mg of caffeine, compared to 6 mg in an ounce of chocolate. Consuming these foods increases caffeine intake. Reading the labels to reduce or avoid foods containing caffeine can be helpful.

Suggested Consumption of Coffee

According to the Mayo Clinic, 400 milligrams, or about four cups of brewed coffee, is the recommended daily caffeine intake (the total does not include caffeine derived from other sources). If that amount is exceeded, people should reduce their intake, switch to decaf, or do both. Seniors who consume coffee or other caffeinated foods and beverages should have their intake and timing closely monitored by caregivers and loved ones. Sticking to the advised caffeine intake—or cutting it—is critical to prevent harmful side effects and sleeplessness.

For seniors, coffee drinking can be a bad habit to break.

Coffee is still a stimulant drug even though it is legal and widely accepted. Those who drink coffee over time may develop an addiction and require larger doses to maintain their "caffeine fix." Seniors who enjoy their coffee might want to stick with a long-standing habit. Withdrawal from coffee can also cause headaches, exhaustion, agitation, and difficulty focusing.

Help mature adults wean themselves off excessive coffee consumption by introducing healthier options like probiotic- and antioxidant-rich Kombucha drinks and electrolyte-rich coconut water that helps prevent dehydration. There are now many healthy beverage options available in supermarkets, many of which are in the organic section. Present them to your loved one as a unique treat.

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