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October 13, 2024
Drinking coffee on a regular basis could significantly lower the risk of developing crippling diseases such as dementia, new research suggests.
Experts found that those who drink between three and five cups of coffee a day could cut the chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease by up to a fifth.
Researchers said that the caffeine in coffee helps prevent the formation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrulary tangles in the brain – two hallmarks of the memory loss condition.
Experts found that those who drink between three and five cups of coffee a day could cut the chance of getting Alzheimer’s disease by up to a fifth thanks to the ingredients the beverage contains (file picture)
In addition, experts found that both caffeine and polyphenols – both key ingredients in the popular beverage – reduce inflammation and decrease the deterioration of brain cells, especially in areas liked to memory.
Dr Iva Holmerova, vice chairman of Alzheimer Europe, said: ‘The findings presented in this report are very encouraging.
‘Coffee is a very popular beverage enjoyed by millions of people around the world and I’m pleased to know that moderate, lifelong consumption can have a beneficial effect on the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
‘Cognitive decline is a feature of ageing, and although some changes can be expected in all of us, there is some evidence that diet and lifestyle may be related to cognition.’
The report, released by the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee, suggested that moderate coffee consumption was associated with a lower risk of developing dementia over a four year period. It said that regularly drinking coffee could cut the chance of developing the debilitating illness by 20 per cent.
However, it also said the effect diminished over a longer follow-up period.
Dr Arfram Ikram, an assistant professor in neuroepidemiology at Erasmus Medical Centre Rotterdam who contributed to the study, said: ‘The majority of human epidemiological studies suggest that regular coffee consumption over a lifetime is associated with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s, with an optimum protective effect occurring with three to five cups of coffee per day.’
However, Jess Smith, research officer at the Alzheimer’s Society, warned that evidence linking coffee to the protection of dementia was not yet conclusive.
She said: ‘Some research suggests that caffeine and antioxidants in coffee may be beneficial but studies in people show mixed results – more research and clinical trials are needed to see if positive effects occur in people over the long term.
‘There is no single way to reduce your risk of dementia. Exercising frequently, as well as eating a healthy balanced diet, avoiding smoking, not drinking in excess, and managing other health conditions can play a role in reducing your risk of dementia.’
The report also highlighted the role nutrition can play in preserving cognitive function, especially during the pre-clinical phase of Alzheimer’s, before symptoms of dementia occur.
It found that a Mediterranean diet, consisting of fish, fresh fruit and vegetables, olive oil and red wine, has been associated with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
The research and key findings were originally presented at the Alzheimer’s Europe Annual Congress in Glasgow last month before being officially released today.
Alzheimer’s affects one person in 20 over the age of 65, amounting to 26 million people worldwide.
In Britain alone, 850,000 people are affected by dementia, with 60 per cent of those suffering from Alzheimer’s.
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Source Mail Online