Your health: Percentage of coffee drinkers on the decline
Number of coffee drinkers declining
The percentage of Americans who drink a cup of coffee every day declined for the third straight year, the National Coffee Association (NCA) said recently, reflecting slacker consumption from older drinkers.
The annual National Coffee Drinking Trends study showed that 59 percent of Americans drink a daily cup of coffee, down from 61 percent in 2014 and 63 percent in 2013, Reuters reports. It was the lowest level since the NCA changed its methodology in 2012 to be more inclusive of ethnic minorities.
Sixty-five percent of Americans aged 60 and older said they drank a cup of coffee the prior day, the same rate as 2014 but down from 76 percent in 2013. While the 60-plus demographic includes the country's biggest coffee drinkers, it is tracking the trend toward lower consumption in the population as a whole.
"Our grandparents drank coffee all day," Mark DiDomenico, director of business development at research firm Datassential and former chairman of the NCA's market research committee, said. "That's not the case anymore."
In all other age categories, the percentage of Americans drinking coffee declined between 2014 and 2015.
DiDomenico presented the data at the NCA's annual convention in Charleston.
The number of cups of coffee per day Americans drink dropped to 1.85, its lowest level since 2010 down from 2.01 in 2014, which had been the highest level since 1980.
Keep moving when knee, hip pain strike
Mobility relies on the body's two largest joints, the hips and knees. We ask a lot of both these joints: they must bear our full weight and coordinate movement over a lifetime of standing, walking, running, dancing, and sports.
Not surprisingly, hip and knee pain are common complaints, and nearly everyone who lives into old age can expect some trouble with these joints. But taking care of your hips and knees and managing any pain that arises will help you avoid losing mobility as you age.
The Harvard Medical School suggests trying these self-help measures when knee or hip pain strikes:
RICE for acute pain or injuries. RICE, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation, is excellent first aid for any type of joint injury.
Rest. Don't completely limit your activity - that can make injuries worse. Instead, avoid the type of motion that directly led to the injury, and try activities that keep pressure off the joint (see the list below for some ideas).
Ice. A homemade or store-bought ice pack applied to the injured area can reduce pain and swelling. Use it for 20 minutes at a time, with 20-minute pauses in between. Make sure a layer of cloth or other material is between the ice and your skin to protect you from frostbite.
Compression. A neoprene support or elastic bandage can promote recovery and reduce swelling. Make sure the wrap isn't so tight that the skin becomes cool or blue.
Elevation. Raising an injured leg on a pillow or stool can also reduce swelling by preventing blood from pooling at the injured site.
Heat therapy for long-term pain and stiffness. Ice is the best therapy in the first day or two after an injury to reduce swelling; after that, applying heat can also help ease pain by relieving stiffness and promoting flexibility. You can use a store-bought heating pad or heat a damp towel in the microwave at 20-second increments until it reaches the desired temperature. Make sure the heat you're applying feels warm, not hot, to avoid burning the skin.
It's important to keep joints moving, even when you're dealing with pain from arthritis or an overuse injury. These joint-friendly options can help keep you active:
• elliptical trainer
• stationary bike (recumbent or upright)
• tai chi
• swimming, water aerobics, or water walking
• rowing machine
• short walks throughout the day, instead of a long walk.