A person starts feeling weak with age. Let us tell you about the drink that protects your muscles from loss even with increasing age.
As soon as people wake up in the morning, they drink coffee first. A cup of coffee makes the day start fresh and energetic. But does drinking more coffee keep the muscles strong? American researchers observed people's habits and body composition. Let us tell you what was the result of this research?
Why do muscles matter?
Arm and leg muscles aren't just for strength. Low muscle mass increases the risk of falls, fractures, and difficulty performing daily activities, which can affect your freedom of movement. Researchers often track the appendicular skeletal muscle mass to BMI ratio (ASMBMI), which means "how much muscle do you have for your body size?" This measures muscle mass, not performance or balance.
The link between coffee and muscles
The researchers looked at data from 8,333 adults from the 2011-2018 American Health Survey (NHANES). Muscle mass was measured using DXA scans and ASMBMI was calculated. Coffee intake was measured using two 24-hour diet recalls, which included regular coffee, decaf, and caffeine. The statistical model adjusted for age, gender, education, income, smoking, alcohol, physical activity, BMI, medical conditions, calories, and protein to compare coffee consumers to similar populations.
What did the results show?
Those who drank more coffee had more muscle mass relative to their body size. The group with the highest coffee intake had a higher ASMBMI of about 13 percent. The group with the highest caffeine intake saw an increase of about 11-12 percent. There was no clear link for decaf. But the benefit was not seen in people with obesity (BMI ≥ 30). This may be because chronic inflammation in obesity breaks down muscle faster and overshadows the small benefits of coffee.
Why might coffee help?
The caffeine in coffee stimulates the nervous system and modulates the body's fuel use. Apart from this, it contains polyphenols, which are antioxidants and anti-inflammatory. In lab and animal studies, they have been found to be helpful in improving muscle health. Coffee is not the only star of muscles. Resistance training, adequate protein, good sleep and healthcare are necessary to protect regular muscles. Coffee can support it, but it is not the main thing to build or protect muscles. The entire study was published in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition.
What the doctors say
Dr. K.C. Balani, Nutrition and Muscle Health Expert, says, “The caffeine and antioxidants present in coffee can be helpful for muscles, but coffee alone is not enough to increase muscle mass. Regular exercise, adequate protein and good sleep are most important. Coffee can help in this, but results cannot be achieved with coffee alone.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider it a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, consult your doctor or concerned specialist.
