Your daily cup of coffee could have this surprising health benefit, new research says
Your go-to cup of coffee may do more than pep you up in the morning — it could help you to age more comfortably. That’s the main takeaway from a new study, which found a link between drinking coffee every day and having higher muscle mass.
In case you’re not familiar with it, muscle mass is the amount of muscle in your body, and it helps with your strength, balance, and metabolism. Plus, as you age, having a higher muscle mass has been linked with more mobility and a lower risk of falls.
But what does coffee have to do with muscle mass?
Meet the expert: Scott Keatley, RD, co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy.
What did the study find?
For the study, which was published in Frontiers in Nutrition in August, researchers analysed health data from more than 8,300 adults in the United States. The scientists looked at participants’ muscle mass through bone density scans and then compared that with their coffee intake from questionnaires.
The study authors found that people who drank coffee every day had an 11 to 13 per cent higher muscle mass than non-coffee drinkers.
This, they concluded, may help lower the risk of developing sarcopenia, a musculoskeletal disease. (Worth noting: There did not seem to be an association between drinking decaf coffee and muscle mass.)
‘An appropriate increase in coffee and caffeine intake may be advocated in populations at high risk for low skeletal muscle mass,’ the researchers added.
Does coffee improve muscle mass?
It’s important to point out that the study didn’t prove that drinking coffee gives you higher muscle mass. Instead, it found a link between a daily coffee and having higher muscle mass.
‘It's not definitive proof that coffee alone will preserve muscle mass as you age,’ says Scott Keatley, RD, co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy.
Still, Keatley says that findings are ‘fascinating,’ adding, ‘the research shows a clear association between coffee and caffeine intake and improvements in skeletal muscle mass.’
As for why, Keatley says it could be due to the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of caffeine. Inflammation is linked to decreased muscle mass, so tamping down on it could potentially have the opposite effect, he explains.
Coffee may also help clear out damaged cells and maintain muscle integrity, Keatley says. ‘That could help prevent the muscle degradation typically seen with ageing,’ he says.
Should I start drinking coffee for muscle mass?
Nope, we’re not there yet. ‘While the research suggests coffee can have benefits for muscle mass, I wouldn’t recommend starting a coffee habit solely for that purpose,’ Keatley says.
‘While coffee may have some benefits, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution,’ he says. ‘People need to take into account their own health, lifestyle, and whether caffeine affects them negatively.’
If you want to build up your muscle mass, Keatley suggests focusing on having a balanced, protein-rich diet with lean sources like fish, chicken, and plant-based proteins.
‘Engaging in resistance training is a proven method to build and maintain muscle mass, and combining that with activities like walking or cycling helps improve overall function,’ he says. And, if you happen to drink coffee, that may help you out, too.
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