Copyright smh
The physical health of the participants was evaluated using a model known as Fried’s Five-Component Frailty Phenotype (developed by Dr Linda Fried in 2001), which focuses on certain frailty traits: unintentional weight loss, weakness, exhaustion, slow walking speed and low physical activity. The results from the research supported the idea that moderate-to-high (two to four cups a day) habitual coffee consumption led to improvement in these areas and so may reduce the risk of frailty in older adults. Bini Suresh, a spokesman for the British Dietetic Association and the lead dietitian at Cleveland Clinic London, has some reservations: “While a seven-year study lends credibility, there are a few important limitations and caveats to consider. The study is observational, so we can’t confirm cause and effect – the people who drink more coffee might engage in other health-promoting behaviours. But it does add weight to the growing evidence base linking certain dietary patterns and specific foods with functional health outcomes, particularly in the ageing.” How does coffee make us stronger? Growing research advocates the benefits of moderate coffee drinking. Its unique components make it a rich source of dietary positives. The caffeine content acts as an “adenosine receptor antagonist”, reducing fatigue and enhancing alertness. Plus, caffeine can improve muscle movement, thus supporting mobility and reducing weakness. The polyphenols (natural plant compounds) have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which support age-related muscle loss, swelling and overall function, while a lesser-known compound, trigonelline, may sustain cognitive health and improve memory.
