Coffee not only helps increase alertness and energy but is also believed to contribute to longevity by reducing the risk of heart failure, stroke, diabetes, and even some types of cancer.
Notably, coffee is also considered a "helper" in reducing the risk of dementia in older adults. However, how much coffee should one drink per day? A large-scale study spanning nearly half a century, recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) , has provided an answer to this question.
Scientists from the Mass General Brigham Hospital System, the Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health , and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) analyzed data from 131,821 participants, with an average age of 46, who did not have cancer, Parkinson's disease, or dementia at the start of the study. Information on participants' dietary habits was collected every two to four years using a food consumption frequency questionnaire.
During a 43-year follow-up period, 11,033 people developed dementia, according to the science news site Scitechdaily .
Coffee helps reduce the risk of dementia in older adults. Illustration: AI
Drinking 2-3 cups of coffee a day may reduce the risk of dementia
The study found that those who consumed the most caffeine-containing coffee had an 18% lower risk of dementia compared to those who drank little or no coffee.
Notably, the strongest benefits were achieved in those who drank 2-3 cups of coffee per day, according to Scitechdaily.
Researchers explain that coffee contains many bioactive compounds, including caffeine and polyphenols. These substances may help protect the brain by reducing inflammation and limiting cell damage – two causes of cognitive decline.
Additionally, drinking tea offers similar benefits, with the greatest effect achieved at 1-2 cups of tea per day.
However, decaf coffee did not produce the same effect. This suggests that caffeine plays a key role in the brain-protective effects.
Scientists have concluded that consuming caffeinated coffee or tea is a promising intervention to support cognitive function as we age. Notably, these results are consistent even in individuals with a genetic predisposition to dementia.
In summary, a daily coffee break may be an effective tool to protect the brain and slow down long-term memory decline in older adults.