Blog

Tips For Healthy Caffeine Consumption For Seniors

August 17, 2022 0 Comment Category: Care Center

Many people think that giving up the morning cup of coffee is a part of healthy aging. But that is not the case. A cup of coffee in the morning can help avoid many age-related problems, which include heart health issues and dementia. However, it should be consumed in moderation. This is because it is a stimulant, meaning that coffee consumption can increase activity in your central nervous system. This increase in activity can make some people anxious or jittery. This is especially true if the person is prone to anxiety.

Some other health risks related to drinking coffee are:

• Gastrointestinal Problems: Coffee contains high levels of acids and this can worsen acid reflux. Also, it can speed up the digestion process.
• Increased Heart Rate: As coffee is a stimulant, it can increase heart rate, and can be problematic to people suffering from arrhythmias.
• Dehydration: As per senior care experts in many assisted living facilities, coffee consumption can result in dehydration, which can stress the kidneys and worsen bladder infections.
• Increased Blood Pressure: The increase in blood pressure after coffee consumption can be temporary, but can be problematic to people with serious heart health issues or high blood pressure.

Ensuring Healthy Coffee Consumption

Senior care experts opine that about 400 milligrams of caffeine per day are safe for most adults. This is about four cups of coffee. Most studies on the effects of caffeine consumption investigate moderate consumption of 3 to 5 cups of coffee per day. Therefore, 4 cups seem to b the sweet spot.

If your senior loved one takes theophylline, Echinacea, or ephedrine, you need to talk to the doctor of your loved one about potential interactions. Also, you need to ask your senior loved one about the effects of having coffee. This is because, for some people, even moderate consumption of coffee can lead to health problems like insomnia, headaches, stomach issues, incontinence, tremors, restlessness, and anxiety. For some others, even heavy consumption of coffee will not have any noticeable effects.

Final Thoughts

Coffee consumption can be beneficial to seniors and the health benefits can come as a surprise. However, it should be consumed in moderation to avoid any negative effects. Also, if your senior loved takes any medications, you need to discuss with a doctor the potential interactions of coffee with the medications to avoid negative effects.