Is Drinking Coffee Healthy for the Elderly?

Posted on 17/12/2020

Is Drinking Coffee Healthy for the Elderly?

Caffeine and other properties found in coffee are often thought to have a negative effect on elderly health. However, this often applies to drinking too much in a short period. In moderation, coffee can have a number of positive benefits for your aging loved one. The staff at Home Care Assistance in Vancouver has put together a list of healthy reasons for your loved one to include coffee in his or her diet.

1. Enhanced Neurological Functioning

Moderate coffee consumption can have a positive impact on how the brain works. When your loved one drinks coffee, caffeine enters the bloodstream and travels to his or her brain. This popular psychoactive substance helps block adenosine, an inhibitory neurotransmitter. This facilitates an increase in other neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. The result is a noticeable boost in cognitive functioning, mood, memory, energy, vigilance, and reaction times.

2. Lowered Risk Of Developing Type 2 Diabetes

Several recent observational studies have discovered a significant decrease in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes for people who drink one or more cups of coffee per day. One report suggests regular coffee drinkers may be as much as 23 to 50 percent less likely to develop this illness. However, this is only true if consuming coffee that has not been loaded with fatty creamers and large amounts of sugar.

3. Reduced Risk Of Degenerative Diseases

Coffee may offer protection against both Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. According to recent research, seniors who drink up to two cups of coffee per day can cut their risk of developing Parkinson’s by as much as 60 percent. Routine consumers of this beverage may also be up to 65 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s.

4. Increased Liver Protection

This rich, aromatic brew can protect the liver from various forms of disease, including cirrhosis and fatty liver disease. The key to recognizing this benefit lies in how the coffee is consumed. Coffee with milk, sugar, artificial sweeteners, and other additives can actually have an adverse effect on both the liver and the kidneys. However, drinking black coffee in moderate amounts can reduce your loved one’s risk of cirrhosis by up to 80 percent. For optimum benefits, seniors and their Vancouver caregivers should be mindful of both how much coffee is being consumed and how it is being served.

5. Boosted Energy

Coffee is a stimulant that can give seniors a quick boost of energy when they need it most. However, too much of this stimulant can leave your loved one overcharged and restless and could disrupt his or her sleep patterns, which is why this brew is best served in the morning. Its aromatic properties alone are believed to be therapeutic, given many people feel instantly more alert as soon as the scent of freshly brewed coffee hits the air.