Moderate coffee consumption – two to three cups daily – may be linked to a reduced risk of dementia and slower cognitive decline, according to a new study published in JAMA.
The research, conducted by scientists from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health in collaboration with Mass General Brigham, analyzed data from over 131,000 individuals over a period of up to 43 years. Researchers recorded 11,033 cases of dementia during the study period and found an association between consuming caffeinated coffee and a lower likelihood of developing the disease.
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Coffee is a staple in many people’s morning routines, and recent investigations are exploring its potential connection to brain health and cognitive function. Understanding the relationship between lifestyle factors and dementia risk is crucial as the global population ages and the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases increases.
The study evaluated data from more than 131,000 participants and documented 11,033 diagnoses of dementia over as many as four decades of follow-up. Researchers compared coffee consumption habits to the development of the disease in adulthood.
The results indicate an association between caffeinated coffee consumption and a reduced risk of dementia. Individuals who consumed two to three cups daily showed the clearest relationship with this outcome, according to the findings.
“Those people who enjoyed two to three cups of coffee a day saw a greater impact on their cognitive health,” explained Dr. Daniel Wang, the lead author of the study and an assistant professor in the Department of Nutrition at Harvard Chan School.
Caffeinated coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of dementia in adults. Photo:iStock
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Differences Between Caffeinated and Decaffeinated Coffee
The research also distinguished between caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee consumption. This differentiation allowed researchers to evaluate the effects of each type separately, an aspect that had not been addressed in as much detail in previous studies.
The analysis identified that the association with a lower risk of dementia was specifically observed with caffeinated coffee. In the case of decaffeinated coffee, researchers found no relationship with reduced risk.
However, the study also found no evidence that decaffeinated coffee increases the probability of developing dementia. According to the results, its consumption was not linked to a higher risk of the disease.
Data suggests that drinking two to three cups a day showed the clearest relationship. Photo:iStock
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Bioactive Compounds and Potential Effect on the Brain
Researchers noted that coffee and tea contain bioactive compounds that could influence brain health. These include polyphenols and caffeine, substances that have been analyzed for their potential relationship with biological processes linked to cognitive decline.
“These components could reduce inflammation and cellular damage, while also protecting against cognitive decline,” the authors explain.
The study suggests that the combination of these compounds could work together in the body. Beyond caffeine’s well-known “wake-up effect,” researchers are analyzing biological mechanisms that could contribute to maintaining brain function over time.
The Universal (Mexico) / GDA
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*This content was rewritten with the assistance of artificial intelligence, based on information from El Universal, and was reviewed by a journalist and an editor.
