New clues suggest caffeine may fight dementia
The Role of Coffee and Tea in Cognitive Health
For over four decades, researchers in the United States have been collecting evidence that coffee may play a significant role in reducing cognitive decline. This includes individuals who have a genetic risk of developing dementia. A long-term study involving approximately 130,000 participants found that 11,033 of them eventually developed the disease. The research team from Mass General Brigham and Harvard University concluded that moderate consumption of coffee and tea could lower the risk of dementia.
The study highlighted that consuming around two to three cups of caffeinated coffee or one to two cups of tea daily was most effective in reducing cognitive decline and preserving cognitive function. These findings were published in a paper by the American Medical Association, which emphasized the importance of early prevention for dementia. Once symptoms appear, treatments offer only modest benefits.
Neuroprotective Properties of Coffee and Tea
The researchers identified polyphenols and caffeine in coffee and tea as potential neuroprotective factors. These compounds are believed to reduce inflammation and cellular damage, thereby protecting against cognitive decline. As a result, a lifetime of drinking coffee and tea might help slow down brain atrophy.
Daniel Wang from Mass General Brigham and Harvard noted that while the results are encouraging, the effect size is small. He stressed that there are many important ways to protect cognitive function as people age. Wang added that caffeinated coffee or tea could be one part of the solution.
Yu Zhang from Mass General Brigham also pointed out that the study compared individuals with different genetic predispositions to dementia and found similar results. This suggests that coffee or caffeine may be equally beneficial for people with both high and low genetic risks of developing dementia.
Additional Research on Coffee’s Benefits
In 2023, the American Chemical Society published research showing that compounds in espresso can inhibit the buildup of a protein called tau in the brain. This protein has been linked to late-life cognitive damage. More recently, scientists at Queen Mary University of London suggested that coffee has anti-ageing properties for human cells and may be beneficial for health and longevity.
In 2024, the American Cancer Society released findings indicating that coffee can reduce the chances of developing certain types of dementia. However, a University of Utah-led team found that drinking four cups of coffee per day was optimal, which is double the amount recommended by the Mass General Brigham researchers.
Conclusion
The growing body of research on coffee and tea highlights their potential role in maintaining cognitive health. While the exact mechanisms are still being studied, the consistent findings across multiple studies suggest that moderate consumption of these beverages could be a valuable component of a broader strategy for preventing cognitive decline. As more research emerges, it will be important to continue exploring how lifestyle choices, including diet, can influence brain health over a lifetime.
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