For many of us, coffee is a daily ritual we can’t imagine living without. But did you know that it can also help reduce inflammation and combat muscle loss, especially in older adults? Let’s take a closer look at coffee’s impressive benefits.
Researchers from Guangxi Medical University in China have discovered that coffee may help prevent sarcopenia, a musculoskeletal disorder that causes reduced muscle strength, mass, and physical performance as people age.
The team analyzed muscle mass data from 8,300 American adults using bone density scans collected between 2011 and 2018. Participants reported their coffee habits through two questionnaires. The average age of those involved was around 40, with women making up more than half of the group.
The findings were eye-opening: daily coffee drinkers boasted 11% to 13% more muscle mass than their non-caffeinated counterparts. Interestingly, decaffeinated coffee didn’t show the same benefits.
However, it’s worth noting that this correlation wasn’t universal. Coffee consumption didn’t seem to affect muscle mass for participants with a body mass index (BMI) over 30.
Dana Hunnes, a senior dietician at UCLA Medical Center, commented on the study by noting that coffee is rich in various anti-inflammatory compounds. Since inflammation is associated with muscle loss, drinking coffee can reduce inflammation. This reduction may help decrease the pathways that lead to muscle reduction.
She further noted that the results indicate consuming caffeinated coffee offers more benefits than abstaining from it, with increased consumption correlating with greater benefits. She recommended that people drink coffee consistently over the years to maximize the likelihood of experiencing tangible health benefits.
Heidi Skolnick, a sports dietitian and exercise physiologist at the Women’s Sports Medicine Center, noted that coffee may aid in maintaining autophagy, a process that helps recycle aging cells.
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