The link between coffee and healthy aging: what research says

Research suggests that drinking coffee has many potential health benefits, particularly for women when it comes to aging well. According to MedicalNewsToday, women who consumed coffee had higher chances of avoiding chronic diseases, physical limitations, and mental health impairments.

The study indicated that regular coffee consumption may support healthy aging. Although more research is to be done to confirm these results.

Researchers' view on the link between coffee and healthy aging in women

Researchers studied data, which had a 30-year follow-up and included 47,513 women, to analyse the relationship between caffeine intake and healthy ageing. They looked at food frequency questionnaires from 2014-2016 to assess caffeine consumption from coffee, tea, and cola.

They also looked at coffee consumption in 8-ounce cups per day and cola consumption in 12-ounce glasses per day. They determined a baseline exposure based on the average of the 1984 and 1986 food frequency questionnaires and examined caffeine consumption in 80 million increments.The study defined healthy aging in women as meeting these criteria:- Living to at least 70 years old- Being free of 11 major chronic diseases- Having no physical functional limitations- Experiencing no mental health issues- Having no cognitive impairments- Having no memory complaintsThe study suggests that in 2016, over 3,700 women experienced healthy aging.

Although regular coffee intake may be associated with increased chances of healthy aging in women, reduced risk of chronic diseases, physical limitations, and mental health impairments.Therefore, the result of the study provided valuable insights into the potential benefits of coffee consumption for women’s health as they age.

Conclusions of the study

The study relied on participants’ reports of their health, which might not be entirely accurate.

Also, some factors might not have been considered.The study primarily focused on predominantly white women, meaning that more research needs to be done to confirm whether similar results apply to other demographics and age groups. Further research is necessary to clarify the relationship between coffee consumption and healthy aging. Questions remain about how coffee additives, such as sugar and creamer, might impact the results. Given these limitations, it's premature to draw strong conclusions about the benefits of coffee for healthy aging. More studies are needed to replicate these findings, explore the impact of coffee consumption in diverse populations, and account for various factors that might influence the results.Also read | How stress impacts sleep and memory; here’s what researchers say