Moderate coffee, tea intake linked to lower Dementia risk
Washington | Desk: A comprehensive study by researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that consuming two to three cups of coffee or one to two cups of tea daily may help maintain brain function and reduce the risk of dementia. The study was published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA).
Researchers analyzed data from a 43-year study involving 131,821 health professionals in the United States. The results showed that men and women who consumed the most caffeine had an 18 percent lower risk of dementia, on average.
Interestingly, this protective effect was observed only in caffeinated coffee and tea, while those who drank decaffeinated coffee did not show any such benefits. This suggests that caffeine is the main protective factor for the brain.
Assistant Professor Dong Wang, who led the study, explained that while these results are encouraging, it's important to note that its protective effect is limited and that other measures should be taken to protect mental health as we age.
The research also revealed that the risk of dementia was lowest among those who consumed moderate amounts of caffeine. However, those with a genetically elevated risk of dementia also benefited equally from coffee consumption.
According to scientists, caffeine reduces the accumulation of harmful proteins in the brain and reduces inflammation, which may help prevent mental decline.
In addition, compounds like polyphenols and chlorogenic acid found in tea and coffee improve blood flow to the brain and strengthen nerve cells by reducing oxidative stress. This research reinforces the debate that began 24 years ago, when a protective link between caffeine and Alzheimer's was first suggested.
It's worth noting that dementia isn't a specific disease, but rather a term used to describe a group of symptoms that affect memory, thinking, and social behavior to such an extent that normal daily functioning is disrupted. It's primarily caused by brain cell damage, disrupting communication between different parts of the brain.
Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for approximately 60-80 percent of all cases. Early symptoms often include forgetting small things, becoming confused on familiar routes, finding the right words in conversation, or experiencing personality changes.
As the condition progresses, it can become difficult for a person to make decisions, maintain a sense of time and place, and even take basic care of themselves. Although aging is the biggest risk factor for dementia, it is not an inevitable part of normal aging. It can develop due to a variety of factors, including genetic influences, head injuries, blood vessel problems (vascular dementia), and the accumulation of harmful proteins in the brain.
Currently, there is no complete cure for dementia, but early diagnosis, medication, and lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and moderate caffeine intake, can help manage its symptoms and improve quality of life.
