Caffeine has a bad reputation, and while too much caffeine isn’t a good thing, plenty of research has found that consuming a moderate amount can offer real benefits. Here are five health benefits of caffeine.
1. Increased Brainpower
According to an Austrian study, drinking a single cup of caffeinated coffee can boost brainpower for around 45 minutes. A cup of coffee contains about 100 mg of caffeine.
Though caffeine may be helpful on many levels, a more reliable way to ensure your loved one remains healthy is to hire a professional caregiver. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional home care. Assisting Hands Home Care Orlando is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.
2. Reduced Risk of Parkinson’s
A Harvard study found that men who drink four cups of caffeinated coffee every day are half as likely to develop Parkinson’s than men who don’t drink coffee. It’s believed that caffeine works to keep dopamine molecules in the brain active while blocking adenosine to slow the buildup of amyloid beta, the brain plaque associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
3. Lowered Risk of Heart Disease
While caffeine constricts arteries and causes blood pressure to rise by up to 10 points in nonhabitual drinkers, researchers have found that regular coffee drinkers actually have lower blood pressure and a reduced risk of heart disease. Harvard researchers found that drinking even six or more cups of caffeinated coffee per day didn’t increase the risk of heart disease. Another study found that men who drank four cups of coffee a day had a 53 percent lower risk of dying from heart disease than men who didn’t drink coffee.
As with all lifestyle and dietary habits, consult your loved one’s physician about appropriate daily amounts of caffeine. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Orlando families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.
4. Decreased Risk of Diabetes
The risk of type 2 diabetes increases with age. More than 26 percent of seniors in the United States now have diabetes, and it’s the seventh leading cause of death in America. Caffeine may lower the risk of developing the disease. According to a 2005 study by Harvard University, drinking five cups of caffeinated coffee per day reduces the risk of developing diabetes by half.
5. Reduced Risk of Kidney Stones
Researchers aren’t sure why, but the prevalence of kidney stones increases dramatically for men between 40 and 70 years old. Once someone gets a kidney stone, he or she has a higher chance of developing more. In a study of more than 217,000 people, caffeine was found to reduce the risk of kidney stone formation. It’s believed that caffeine works to dilute urine to prevent the accumulation of urine crystals.
Before making any changes to your loved one’s diet, make sure to check with his or her physician. Families who find it difficult to care for their aging loved ones without assistance can benefit greatly from professional respite care. Orlando, FL, family caregivers who need a break from their caregiving duties can turn to Assisting Hands Home Care. Our caregivers can encourage your loved one to eat well, exercise regularly, get plenty of mental and social stimulation, and focus on other lifestyle factors that promote longevity. Schedule a free in-home consultation by giving us a call today.
