Coffee is a way that many Americans start their day, and a favorite drink for senior citizens, including many residents of Sherwood Oaks Retirement Community. Some have hailed coffee as a superfood, pointing out its many health and anti-aging benefits. It is a great source of antioxidants and helps keep those who drink it alert. But are there also risks involved with coffee consumption, and is it a healthy beverage for seniors?

The answer is yes.

The Good

Coffee has been shown to reduce the risk of many ailments that are common in seniors, according to Mayo Clinic specialists.  These include:

• Certain cancers
• Parkinson’s disease
• Type 2 diabetes

MedCentral Health System states those who drink alcohol but also more than three cups of coffee a day have half the chance of developing cirrhosis than those who just drink coffee.

Coffee can also help with asthma symptoms, headaches, and even cavities because of its antibacterial properties. But how pure coffee is makes a difference. According to a study reported by the U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, the antibacterial properties were only beneficial when sugar and other additives were not included in participants’ cups of joe.

So what is the perfect number of cups to drink in a day? The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease reported that consuming three cups a day was the perfect number to help reduce the chance of developing the disease.

The Bad

Of course, there are a few small risks involved with coffee consumption. Possible negative side effects include:

• Increase in cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Loss of calcium

As with many things, coffee is good for you in moderation. More than six cups of coffee a day can lead a coffee-addict to become overly anxious and jittery. However, these are symptoms that can come with even moderate consumption. Other common negative side effects are nausea, insomnia, and an increase in heart rate.

If you’re at retirement age and you’ve got a “few cups a day” habit when it comes to coffee drinking, keep up the habit! Seniors can reap many benefits from a jolt of java.