Drink a Morning Cuppa Joe: How Caffeine Fights Dangerous Inflammation in Older Adults

Think of some of the classic coffee commercials from your lifetime. Joe DiMaggio trading in his bat to become Mr. Coffee. Maxwell House promising you that “it tastes as good as it smells.” Juan Valdez offering you “100% Colombian” during the 80s, or Folger’s being the best part of waking up. What those commercials failed to tell you, though, was that the caffeine in coffee can also help prevent deadly inflammation in older adults. I guess it didn’t fit into a jingle.

caffeine fights inflammationThink of some of the classic coffee commercials from your lifetime. Joe DiMaggio trading in his bat to become Mr. Coffee. Maxwell House promising you that “it tastes as good as it smells.” Juan Valdez offering you “100% Colombian” during the 80s, or Folger’s being the best part of waking up. What those commercials failed to tell you, though, was that the caffeine in coffee can also help prevent deadly inflammation in older adults. I guess it didn’t fit into a jingle.
More likely, it’s because this potentially life-saving connection was just recently discovered by researchers at Stanford University. While there is still testing to be done, there seems to be a correlation between caffeine and the inflammation process known to lead to serious cardiovascular problems in some older adults.
If you or a loved one is suffering from inflammation, this news could help improve health, increase lifespan, and help them enjoy a better quality of life. Researchers may not have the charisma of Joltin Joe or Juan Valdez, but they may have found something even more important.

Understanding Inflammation, Atherosclerosis, and Caffeine

In January, Nature Medicine published a study by David Furman and others about the link between inflammation and caffeine, citing a long study involving blood samples, surveys, and the family histories of over 100 individuals. (The full paper is here, but you have to pay to read it.) In it, the researchers discussed the role of metabolites in triggering inflammation.
Metabolites are essentially the byproduct of nucleic acid breakdown, a process that often happens with aging. These acids, which are the molecules that serve as the building blocks in our genes, then circulate throughout the bloodstream and, in some individuals, can cause inflammation.
The problem with this inflammation is that it often leads to cardiovascular issues. One of the main diseases that this cellular breakdown can turn into is atherosclerosis, an arterial plaque build-up—the cause of heart attacks, strokes, and other potential heart diseases.
There is also growing evidence that inflammation, by causing clots and plaque, is an indirect, but important factor in Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, which goes a long way toward explaining why these diseases are often associated with old age. Our cells break down, starting a terrible chain reaction. In fact, some estimate that 90% of noncommunicable diseases in older adults are caused by inflammation.
So, that’s the bad news. Now what can we do to prevent it?

How Caffeine Counters Inflammation’s Ill Effects

In their paper, Furman and associates “provide evidence that caffeine and its own metabolites may counter the action of these circulating nucleic acid metabolites.” It’s extremely complicated, and is explained here (more simply than the paper, but still complex to fully understand). Essentially, though, over a 10-year period, researchers found that people who tended to be more caffeinated had less inflammation-related diseases than those who didn’t partake.
It was shown that the metabolites in caffeine can actually counteract the damaging metabolites created by cellular breakdown. They interact in such a way that reduces inflammation, and reduces the chances of disease. Caffeine has been correlated with longevity for a long time, but now there seems to be a scientific backing for the claim.

How the Coffee Generation Can Healthfully Consume Caffeine

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should be chugging coffee. Older adults today are part of the “Coffee Generation” that popularized the drink as part of an every morning experience (which may actually help explain increasing lifespans). But being overcaffeinated can harm sleep, and lack of sleep can also be a contributing factor to Alzheimer’s. In addition, fatigue can lead to more falls, disorientation, and a lack of socialization. So it’s important to balance your intake with other health needs.
Along those lines, there are also good and bad sources of caffeine. Don’t start chugging sugar-heavy energy drinks. Here are some better options:

  • Chocolate (especially heart-healthy dark chocolate)
  • Tea (hot or iced)
  • Caffeine pills (but use caution)

In short, it’s about balance. You or the older adult in your life needs to balance the benefits of caffeine with the dangers of overdoing it, or getting it from sources that have other potential health risks. It’s important to talk to your loved one’s health professional or doctor about finding that balance.
But it is good to know that, all things being equal, there’s nothing wrong with a cuppa morning joe. Given that it can help prevent the cruelties of inflammation and its subsequent diseases, leading to a potentially longer and healthier life with improved physical and mental capabilities, it truly is the best part of waking up.
Institute on Aging offers a wide range of programs, services, and online resources to help older adults and their caregivers live independently, with dignity and adventure. Get in touch with us today to learn more.

Institute on Aging

Institute on Aging

Related Posts

Questions?

Give our dedicated Client Service Specialists a call. We are ready to help.

Follow Us

As we approach the end of #SocialWorkMonth, Institute on Aging would like to take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible work being done by all of our Community Living Fund and HomeSafe social workers.

These dedicated professionals have shown unwavering commitment to providing exceptional care to clients and building strong, vibrant communities. We are consistently impressed by the passion and expertise they bring to their work and their ability to connect with clients in meaningful ways. Our CLF and HomeSafe social workers have risen to this challenge time and time again, going above and beyond to support the individuals and families they serve.

At Institute on Aging, we are grateful every day for our social work teams' hard work and dedication. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to these outstanding professionals for all they do to make a difference in our clients' and communities' lives. You truly embody the spirit of social work, and we are honored to have you as part of our team.

#ThankYou #SocialWork #Appreciation #SocialWorkers #Gratitude #SocialWorkerAppreciation
Sophia became a part of the Community Living Fund team in December 2022, joining at a critical time when additional coverage was required for certain cases. Additionally, CLF was in the process of introducing a new assessment and implementing CalAim services for San Francisco members.

Sophia has been an essential contributor to these ongoing initiatives while effectively managing a caseload of Intensive Case Management (ICM) clients. We were thrilled to receive positive feedback about her support for the TRCS program, which demonstrates her dedication to the agency's mission. CLF is grateful to have a Case Manager like Sophia, who is passionate about serving San Francisco's vulnerable population.

#SocialWorkMonth #WeAppreciateyou #ThankYou #SupportatHome #CaseManager #SocialWorkerAppreciation
Three and a half years ago, Maggie Fang started her journey as an Assessment Specialist in the Support at Home Program at IOA. Her excellent people skills enabled her to manage a caseload of older adults and individuals with disabilities, helping them receive homecare to age in place. Maggie was selected to pioneer the Temporary Respite Caregiver Support program, and we are delighted to have such a skilled and dedicated individual leading our newest program at IOA. Thank you, Maggie, for your exceptional work! 

#SocialWorkMonth #WeAppreciateyou #ThankYou #SupportatHome #CaseManager #SocialWorkerAppreciation
Join us at the Adult Day Program at the Enrichment Center as Caregiver Coach Alex shares with us the incredible support and care provided to participants living with dementia. Clients enjoy various engaging activities, from music therapy to art classes, designed to stimulate their cognitive and physical abilities. The skilled staff at the Enrichment Center also provides caregivers with much-needed support and respite, allowing them to take a break and attend to their needs. If you or someone you know is looking for support in caring for a loved one with dementia, the Adult Day Program at the Enrichment Center in the Presidio is an excellent resource for you! 

Learn more by visiting the link in our bio! 

#DementiaCare #EnrichmentCenter #AdultDayProgram #CaregiverSupport #Presidio #Dementia #Memory #Caregiver