Beverages such as coffee and tea are favored by people across the globe. Recent research suggests that consuming these drinks in moderation might lower the risk of dementia and slow down cognitive decline, as reported by the journal Nature.
Dr. Naveed Sattar, a specialist in cardiometabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow, commented, “This is a sound piece of research given the nature of the available evidence. However, because it relies on observational rather than interventional data, the findings should be viewed as suggestive only.”
Scientists, led by Harvard University epidemiologist Dr. Noh-Yeol Zhang, the study’s principal author based in Cambridge, utilized data from two extensive health studies—the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Their aim was to track the caffeine consumption habits of over 130,000 health professionals spanning 43 years. Participants periodically completed questionnaires detailing their diet and cognitive performance.
The findings indicated that moderate caffeine intake (equivalent to two to three cups of coffee or one to two mugs of tea daily) correlated with the most significant reduction in dementia risk and the slowest rate of cognitive impairment. Even the lowest levels of consumption demonstrated a beneficial effect on the brain.
The authors contend that the link between caffeine consumption and cognitive well-being persisted even among participants who drank substantial amounts of coffee—up to five cups per day. These individuals exhibited an 18% lower risk of dementia compared to those who consumed less or abstained entirely.
Although the study does not definitively prove that coffee intake prevents dementia, the data highlights caffeine’s notable contribution to maintaining cognitive function. Researchers believe this could form one component of a comprehensive strategy for protecting the brain against aging processes.
Dr. Noh-Yeol Zhang concluded, “The magnitude of the effect is modest, and there are numerous crucial ways to safeguard cognitive function later in life. Our research suggests that consuming caffeinated coffee or tea may constitute one piece of this intricate puzzle.”
Separately, on January 20th, Andrey Kondrakhin, Ph.D. in Medical Sciences and a senior lecturer at Pirogov University’s Department of Pharmacology, discussed the potential for apathy induced by coffee during geomagnetic storms. He suggested that when the brain receives conflicting signals from coffee, strong tea, or other stimulants, it can become confused and might slow down further in an effort to process the mixed messages.
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