If you’re over 70, should you drink coffee?

Italian research on coffee and cardiovascular disease states, “Coffee includes various physiologically active chemicals that may have either good or negative effects on the cardiovascular system.” For long-term coffee consumers with high blood pressure—”probably the most chronic issue for older folks in terms of population,” according to Drago—there is evidence that coffee can be a barrier to better control of those levels.

Finally, coffee’s stimulant properties—perhaps its finest superpower aside from being delicious—may cause indirect difficulties for seniors by concealing exhaustion and drowsiness, which could be signs of other health concerns. Coffee intake is “used as a type of self-treatment to disguise the daytime drowsiness, even though that’s the body’s way of saying hey, something’s wrong” for individuals with insomnia or obstructive sleep.

“There is some evidence based on large population studies that lifetime coffee consumers, especially when consumed in moderation, may have some protection against cognitive deterioration later in life.” It’s a relationship, not a causality, but because they are large population studies, the association is likely true.”

First, the good news: as passionate, pro-coffee news headlines and research continue to trumpet, coffee may have long-term benefits in reducing cognitive decline and perhaps cardiovascular disease.

What’s the bad news? Mostly, it’s that if an older person already has health issues, notably cardiovascular or urinary health issues, drinking too much coffee may exacerbate such issues, although clear proof is still lacking.

What constitutes a suitable, reasonable amount of coffee for a healthy senior lifestyle, at the end of the day, differs from person to person, of course.