IF YOU ARE OVER 50 YEARS OLD, YOU NEED TO DRINK 3-4 CUPS OF COFFEE IN THE MORNING TO HELP YOU WITH WHAT THE BIBLE CALLS YOUR “INFIRMITIES”; IN OTHER WORDS, YOUR WEAKNESSES AND FRAILTIES AS YOU AGE

Despite the latest study citing six cups, experts are keen to make sure we don’t go overboard. Dell Stanford, senior dietitian at the British Heart Foundation, says: “Consuming two or three cups of coffee a day may be linked to lower risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to drinking no coffee. However, drinking more than four or five cups of coffee per day, will probably raise your caffeine intake to above the recommended daily maximum of 400mg (four to five cups). Generally, the effects of too much caffeine may include temporarily increased blood pressure and heart rate, palpitations, anxiety, agitation, nausea, headache and sleep disturbance.”

Can coffee substitute regular exercise?

Bini Suresh thinks not. “Coffee complements, it shouldn’t replace exercise,” he says. “Regular physical activity will directly improve strength, endurance and the body’s ability to function well. While the caffeine in coffee might give you a performance boost and delay fatigue, it’s there as a support tool. I’d always advise regular movement and a healthy balanced diet that includes antioxidant-rich foods, like coffee.”

What other foods might help with frailty?

Antioxidants, like polyphenols (naturally occurring in plants), help to protect cells, including muscle and brain cells, from damage. Nichola Ludlam-Raine, dietitian and author of How Not to Eat Ultra-Processed, says: “Yes, coffee is a major source of polyphenols, but similar compounds are found in berries, dark chocolate, olive oil, green tea, and many vegetables. Once consumed, they’re absorbed in the gut (though bioavailability varies), metabolised mainly in the liver, and act throughout the body. Protein-rich foods (like eggs, dairy, legumes, tofu, fish and lean meat) are important for muscle preservation, in addition to foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids (like oily fish, flaxseed and walnuts), and those containing vitamin D and calcium are also key (think eggs and dairy) for bone strength. Fermented foods are also important for gut health (which supports immunity), and colourful fruits and veg for their antioxidant content, which all contribute to preventing frailty.”

Are there downsides to drinking four plus cups of coffee daily?

Not everyone’s tolerance to coffee is the same, but, generally, an overload of caffeine can have health repercussions. “Caffeine can interfere with calcium absorption – so older adults should balance intake with good sources of calcium and vitamin D elsewhere in their daily diet,” says Ludlam-Raine. “There could be potential issues, including disturbed sleep, especially if consumed after midday (caffeine blocks adenosine, the chemical that promotes sleepiness). You could also experience increased heart rate, anxiety and raised blood pressure. Anyone who struggles with acid reflux or IBS might find too much coffee causes digestive problems.”

What type of coffee is best?

In the UK, around 95 million cups of coffee are consumed per day. And although they come in a smorgasbord of flavours, add-ons and sizes, the general thinking is that a straight, black, filtered coffee (ones that have been through a paper or metal filter like a Aeropress or filter coffee machine) is the healthiest. Adding a splash of milk to your brew will provide certain essential vitamins, protein and calcium, but if you get into the cappuccino and latte territory you will also be totting up the calories.