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Drinking coffee may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, say researchers

5 min read

Inspiring People
Source: Unsplash/Anomaly

New research conducted by specialists from Edith Cowan University (ECU) investigated how coffee affected the rate of cognitive decline in over 2000 Australians throughout ten years, revealing promising results.

Increased coffee consumption may reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease

While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, treatment and lifestyle changes can slow its progression. However, the good news for coffee lovers is that a promising new Australian study suggests that higher coffee intake might be linked to a slower rate of cognitive decline; and was found there was also an association between higher coffee intake and slower accumulation of amyloid deposits in the brain.

The research team is based at the Edith Cowan University in Perth, Western Australia. The study involved 227 adults aged 60 years or over, who did not have cognitive decline at the start of the study. The team used a questionnaire to gather information from the participants about the amount and frequency of coffee they consumed.
The scientists used data from the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers, and Lifestyle (AIBL) longitudinal study and followed the participants for more than a decade. The research team is based at the Edith Cowan University in Perth, Western Australia. The study involved 227 adults aged 60 years or over, who did not have cognitive decline at the start of the study. The team used a questionnaire to gather information from the participants about the amount and frequency of coffee they consumed. Source: Unsplash/Nathan Dumlao

It’s a simple thing that people can change

As part of the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle Study of aging, researchers from Edith Cowan University (ECU) investigated whether coffee intake affected the rate of cognitive decline of more than 200 Australians over a decade.

Lead investigator Dr. Samantha Gardener said results showed an association between coffee and several important markers related to Alzheimer’s disease.

“We found participants with no memory impairments and with higher coffee consumption at the start of the study had lower risk of transitioning to mild cognitive impairment — which often precedes Alzheimer’s disease — or developing Alzheimer’s disease over the course of the study,” she said.

Drinking more coffee gave positive results in relation to certain domains of cognitive function, specifically executive function which includes planning, self-control, and attention.

Higher coffee intake also seemed to be linked to slowing the accumulation of the amyloid protein in the brain, a key factor in the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

Dr. Gardener said although further research was needed, the study was encouraging as it indicated drinking coffee could be an easy way to help delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

“It’s a simple thing that people can change,” she said. “It could be particularly useful for people who are at risk of cognitive decline but haven’t developed any symptoms. We might be able to develop some clear guidelines people can follow in middle age and hopefully it could then have a lasting effect.”

To read the study, click here.

Source: Edith Cowan University/SciTechDaily 

Dr. Gardener says that if additional research confirms this link, “coffee intake could one day be recommended as a lifestyle factor aimed at delaying the onset of [AD].” She continues: “It’s a simple thing that people can change […]. It could be particularly useful for people who are at risk of cognitive decline but haven’t developed any symptoms.” Credit: Edith Cowan University.
Dr. Samantha Gardener, lead author of the paper. Dr. Gardener says that if additional research confirms this link, “coffee intake could one day be recommended as a lifestyle factor aimed at delaying the onset of [AD].” She continues: “It’s a simple thing that people can change […]. It could be particularly useful for people who are at risk of cognitive decline but haven’t developed any symptoms.” Credit: Edith Cowan University. Source: Edith Cowan University/SciTechDaily

Make it a double!

If you only allow yourself one cup of coffee a day, the study indicates you might be better off treating yourself to an extra cup, although a maximum number of cups per day that provided a beneficial effect was not able to be established from the current study.

“If the average cup of coffee made at home is 240g, increasing to two cups a day could potentially lower cognitive decline by eight percent after 18 months,” Dr. Gardener said.

“It could also see a five percent decrease in amyloid accumulation in the brain over the same time period.”

In Alzheimer’s disease, the amyloid clumps together forming plaques which are toxic to the brain.

The study was unable to differentiate between caffeinated and de-caffeinated coffee, nor the benefits or consequences of how it was prepared (brewing method, the presence of milk and/or sugar, etc).

Dr. Gardener said the relationship between coffee and brain function was worth pursuing.

“We need to evaluate whether coffee intake could one day be recommended as a lifestyle factor aimed at delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease,” she said.

Source: Edith Cowan University/SciTechDaily

However, analysis of the data showed that habitual coffee drinking was positively associated with the cognitive areas of executive function, attention, and the PACC score. Drinking higher amounts of coffee was associated with slower cognitive decline in these areas over the course of the study.
Caffeine has well-known short-term stimulating effects on central nervous system, but the long-term impacts on cognition have been less clear. However, analysis of the data showed that habitual coffee drinking was positively associated with the cognitive areas of executive function, attention, and the PACC score. Drinking higher amounts of coffee was associated with slower cognitive decline in these areas over the course of the study. Source: Unsplash/Brigitte Tohm

similar studies go back at least a decade

Most recently, a paper was published in November called — Consumption of coffee and tea and risk of developing stroke, dementia, and poststroke dementia: A cohort study in the UK Biobank

But studies into this area are not new. A paper was published in 2010 entitled — Caffeine as a protective factor in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Other studies include:

The research suggests that it may be more beneficial to consume two coffees per day than one, although the study was not able to determine a maximum number of cups per day that provide the most efficacious effects.
So here’s to keeping our wits about us into old age, thanks to a regular cup o’ Joe! (or two) The research suggests that it may be more beneficial to consume two coffees per day than one, although the study was not able to determine a maximum number of cups per day that provide the most efficacious effects. Source: Unsplash/Nathan Dumlao
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