Drinking 2-3 Cups of Coffee Linked to Lower Dementia Risk
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Perk Up: Coffee lovers have another reason to rejoice. A new study published in JAMA has identified a link between daily coffee consumption and a lower risk of dementia.
The Study: Researchers from Harvard, MIT, and Mass General Brigham conducted an observational study, analyzing data from 131,821 participants in the Nurses’ Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Both male and female participants who drank two to three cups of coffee (or one to two cups of tea) a day had a lower risk of dementia and cognitive decline than those who consumed little to no caffeine.
The Takeaway: Decaf coffee and tea didn’t provide these benefits, so caffeine appears to be driving the neuroprotection. This study complements previous research on the cardiovascular benefits of moderate morning coffee consumption. Drinking coffee early in the day is the best bet so it doesn’t mess with sleep. People in their 50s and 60s who regularly sleep six hours or fewer a night have a much higher risk of dementia.
Keep in Mind: Coffee alone won’t prevent cognitive decline, but it could help. Plus, the study was observational, meaning it can only prove correlation, not causation.
