Association of coffee intake with body composition in an older adult study population in Finland

Changes in body composition with ageing, such as fat gain and muscle loss, pose significant health challenges. Coffee consumption may influence body composition, but evidence remains inconclusive. This cross-sectional study examined associations between coffee consumption and body composition in an older Finnish population with high habitual coffee intake. The analysis included 528 men and women (mean age 67.7 years). Coffee intake was assessed using a food-frequency questionnaire, and body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Multivariable-adjusted associations between coffee consumption (<375, 375, and >375 ml/day) and lean mass index, appendicular lean mass index, fat mass index, body mass index, and android/gynoid ratio were analysed using sex-stratified ANCOVA, with Bonferroni correction applied. Mean ± SD coffee intake was 370 ± 214 ml/day. No statistically significant differences between the coffee intake categories were observed for any body composition outcome (p-values > 0.06). In this older Finnish population, coffee consumption was not associated with DXA-assessed body composition.