Coffee might reduce Alzheimer’s risk

Coffee might reduce Alzheimer’s risk


Capuccino connoisseurs and latte lovers, rejoice: Coffee can boast yet another possible health benefit.

A study from researchers in Australia suggests a link between how much coffee someone drinks and their risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, the most common type of dementia.

Using data from a longitudinal study that followed 227 participants for more than a decade, researchers used a questionnaire to gather information about the participants’ rate and amount of coffee consumption.

Then, the participants, age 60 or older, completed different cognitive assessments, measuring skills such as recognition, episodic recall, language, processing speed and attention. They also took a preclinical test for Alzheimer’s that can reliably flag any inklings of early cognitive decline.

The results? Regular coffee consumption was positively linked to cognitive tasks like attention and executive function.

Specifically, the researchers found that those who drank more coffee had a slower buildup of amyloid protein over the study period. This protein is associated with the “sticky clumps” that appear in the brains of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

The study is among many that suggest drinking coffee a day can be beneficial for health. A 2022 study found that two to three cups of coffee a day is not only associated with a lower risk of heart disease, but also with living longer.

In short, this is another bit of research that underscores what most of us know: What we eat and drink affects our bodies — including our brains. So go ahead and grab a takeout cup from your favorite coffee shop. Future you just might remember to say thank you.

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