Something as delicious as a nice cup of coffee is associated with a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease
“It’s a simple thing that people can change.”
Dr Samantha Gardener, researcher at the McCusker Alzheimer’s Research Foundation in Australia.
Did you know that something as nice and simple as enjoying a cup of coffee can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease? Most of us know someone who has one of the most common forms of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease. It’s a disease that develops slowly and over several decades. An Australian study has discovered a link between drinking coffee regularly and the risk of developing this type of dementia. Researchers believe that regularly enjoying this incredibly delicious habit can increase the chances of a healthier brain.
Coffee can protect your brain cells from harmful inflammation and cell death
Several previous studies have discovered a positive relationship between coffee consumption and a protective effect on the brain. A new study published in December 2021 in Frontiers of Ageing Neuroscience is a long-term study that has followed patients over an entire decade. This gave researchers the opportunity to realise that people who had no signs of memory disorders and who had the highest consumption of coffee were those with the lowest risk of developing pre-Alzheimer’s disease or the disease itself during the study period. Two positive effects were discovered that could be related to drinking a certain amount of coffee. The first was a positive effect on abilities such as being able to plan, pay attention, and have self-control – the so-called cognitive functions. This had been seen before and was linked to coffee containing caffeine. The other positive effect observed was that people with the highest coffee consumption had lower levels of the amyloid beta protein in the brain. This is a harmful protein which accumulates in the brain of people with Alzheimer’s disease and is an important factor in its development, in that it creates harmful inflammation in the brain, destroying connections between brain cells, as well as contributes to brain cell death. There are many indications that different substances in coffee contribute to this effect. Coffee contains high levels of antioxidants which, among other things, are believed to have a protective effect.
“My morning break with a freshly brewed cup of coffee is one of the highlights of the day. That something which so many people take pleasure in also has a positive effect on how our brain works and future brain health shows that small, simple habits can make a big difference to our health.”
How much coffee do we need to drink?
According to this study, there’s a relationship between how much coffee you drink and what effect it has. However, an optimal amount couldn’t be determined. In the future, we’ll certainly see many more studies that can hopefully show more exactly what’s happening and also give clearer recommendations on how much you need to drink to get the full effect. Moderation is always best, as coffee is linked to both positive and negative effects if you drink it too much. Among other things, it’s been observed that there’s a link between coffee consumption and positive health effects such as a reduced risk of type-2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. At the same time, other studies have pointed to an increased risk of high blood pressure.
Sometimes I hear that there’s a certain misconception around coffee. For example, some people think that you should stop drinking coffee if you want to live a healthy life. That’s completely wrong if you drink it in moderation. At the same time, you should be careful that you don’t disturb your nocturnal rest, which depends both on the amount of coffee you drink and when you drink it. That’s why it’s best to limit yourself to drinking coffee before lunch to minimise the risk of sleep disruption. Another factor that’s important to keep in mind is that, for example, a large latte contains extra calories, whether it’s dairy or plant-based milk.
My advice:
Enjoy coffee in moderation every day and preferably before lunch. Pregnant women should be careful and stick to the equivalent of two cups of brewed coffee. Even those who have anxiety disorders should be careful and be mindful of their limits when it comes to drinking coffee.
