Drinking 2 or 3 cups of coffee a day is associated with a lower risk of dementia, according to a study
Drinking between two and three cups of coffee a day could be related to a lower risk of dementia and better cognitive function in aging. This is suggested by a large study published in the scientific journal JAMA and led by researchers from Mass General Brigham, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Broad Institute.
TL;DR
- Drinking 2-3 cups of caffeinated coffee daily may reduce dementia risk by 18%.
- Caffeinated coffee also showed a lower prevalence of subjective cognitive decline and better objective cognitive function.
- Decaffeinated coffee did not show the same cognitive benefits; caffeine appears to be the key component.
- Caffeinated tea consumption also showed similar positive results.
- The optimal intake for benefits was 2-3 cups of caffeinated coffee or 1-2 cups of tea daily.
- Higher caffeine intake did not show negative effects, offering similar neuroprotective benefits.
- Coffee and tea contain bioactive compounds like polyphenols and caffeine, potentially reducing inflammation and cellular damage.
- These benefits were consistent across participants with different genetic predispositions to dementia.
- Caffeine intake could be a component of a broader cognitive health strategy, especially for early prevention.