Drinking two or three cups of coffee a day may help ward off dementia, researchers have found.
Caffeine is thought to reduce inflammation in the brain and decrease the build-up of toxic amyloid-beta proteins that contribute to cognitive decline and dementia.
The team analysed data from more than 130,000 health workers, including how often they consumed caffeine from coffee, tea, soda and chocolate.
Analysis suggested that higher caffeinated coffee intake was significantly associated with lower dementia risk – those who drunk the highest amount of coffee compared to the lowest had an 18 per cent reduced risk of dementia.
People who drank the most tea had a 16 per cent reduced risk.
Analysis suggested that higher caffeinated coffee intake was significantly associated with lower dementia risk
Those who consumed the most tea and coffee also showed a slower rate of cognitive decline compared to those who drank the least. No benefits were linked to drinking decaffeinated coffee or tea, suggesting caffeine is the protective ingredient.
Drinking more caffeinated coffee was also associated with better cognitive performance. Similar connections were made for tea drinkers.
Overall, the authors found that the most ‘pronounced association’ was among people who drank a ‘moderate’ amount of tea or coffee, with ‘no additional advantages’ among people who consumed more.
Dr Daniel Wang, senior study author and associate scientist at the Mass General Brigham Department of Medicine, said: ‘While our results are encouraging, it’s important to remember that the effect size is small and there are lots of important ways to protect cognitive function as we age.’
Of all participants, 11,033 developed dementia within the study period. Participants were followed for 43 years on average.
Drinking more caffeinated coffee was also associated with better cognitive performance. Similar connections were made for tea drinkers
Yu Zhang, lead study author and PhD student at Harvard Chan School, said: ‘Caffeine is likely equally beneficial for people with high and low genetic risk of developing dementia.’
Professor Tara Spires-Jones, Division Lead in the UK Dementia Research Institute, who was not involved in the study, said: ‘This kind of observational research cannot prove conclusively that caffeine intake was the reason for lower dementia risk.’
Everyone experiences dementia differently. Use this checklist to help you make a note of your symptoms before you talk to your GP.
