Sarcopenia, an age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, can occur as a result of diminished levels and sensitivity of anabolic hormones, lack of physical activity, nutritional deficiencies, and comorbid diseases. Coffee is known to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are inversely related to the mechanism of sarcopenia.

There have been reports of the effect of coffee consumption on sarcopenia. In an epidemiological study, published in the Korean Journal of Family Medicine, cross-sectional data were obtained from the 2008-2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study sample included 1,781 men, at least 60 years of age. Investigators assessed the association of coffee consumption and sarcopenia in the participants.

Compared to the individuals who drank less than one cup of coffee a day, people who consumed at least 3 cups (adjusted odds ratio, 0.43; 95% confidence interval, 0.20 to 0.94) showed significantly decreased sarcopenia. The decrease was not significant when daily coffee consumption was 1 or 2 cups. Multivariate logistic regression models revealed significant associations between sarcopenia and coffee consumption. Therefore, consuming at least 3 cups of coffee per day was shown to be associated with a lower prevalence of sarcopenia in elderly men.

Another study published in Nutrition Research also showed protective effects of coffee consumption against sarcopenia. In this study, the odds ratio (OR) of sarcopenia was lower in men consuming coffee once a day compared to those who rarely drink coffee. Light coffee consumption was protective against sarcopenia in men.

It is thus evident that coffee consumption can reduce the risk of sarcopenia in elderly men.