A comprehensive study finds that a cup or two of coffee a day might just keep dementia away! Tea also works, as long as it’s not decaf. But, whether coffee or tea, don’t drink more than a few cups a day. Pam Belluck reports for The New York Times.
The JAMA study of nearly 132,000 people found that people who drank between one and three cups of coffee or tea a day, had a lower risk of dementia than people who did not drink coffee or tea or drank negligible amounts. This was an observational study that cannot prove cause and effect, yet the numbers indicate a strong correlation between the caffeine drinkers and a lower risk of developing dementia.
The study did consider myriad other health factors, including drugs, diet, weight, income, history of dementia, smoking. The benefits of caffeine were evident even among the participants with family histories of dementia.
How much daily caffeine improves brain health? The researchers found that those who drank at least one eight-ounce cup of caffeinated coffee each day reduced their risk of dementia by 20 percent. Those who drank an eight-ounce cup of caffeinated coffee each day reduced their risk of dementia by 15 percent.
People who drank more than two and a half cups of coffee each day did not see additional brain health benefits. Of note, the researchers did not see negative effects from drinking more than two and a half cups of caffeinated coffee or tea a day. Other research has found that drinking too much coffee can cause anxiety and compromise sleep. The researchers did not consider what types of coffee or tea participants were drinking or the effects on brain health of adding sugar or milk to the caffeinated drink.
How much coffee is too little to reduce dementia risk? Less than one eight ounce cup a day.
Why might caffeine have these beneficial brain health effects? Caffeine contains chemicals that reduces neuroinflammation.
Fact: Coffee is the most common drink after water.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- Warning: Poor sleep can increase risk of dementia
- Six warning signs of dementia
- Should you be drinking energy drinks?
- Does coffee, tea or chocolate improve your brain’s health
- Consume olive oil, stave off dementia
