How much coffee or tea should I drink to reduce dementia risk?

Drinking two to three cups of coffee or one to two cups of tea daily is linked to an 18% reduced risk of dementia.

What is the active component in coffee and tea that benefits the brain?

Researchers suggest that caffeine is the primary factor responsible for the neuroprotective benefits observed in coffee and tea.

Do the brain benefits of coffee and tea apply to people with genetic dementia risk?

Yes, the study found that the benefits of coffee or caffeine were equally beneficial for people with high and low genetic risk of developing dementia.

Home / Health / Coffee & Tea Slash Dementia Risk: Study

Coffee & Tea Slash Dementia Risk: Study

10 Feb

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Summary

Drinking coffee or tea may reduce dementia risk by 18%.
Caffeine appears to be the key active component.
Benefits observed across genders and genetic predispositions.

Drinking two to three cups of coffee or one to two cups of tea daily is associated with an 18% reduced risk of dementia and preserved cognitive function, according to a study of over 131,000 individuals. Researchers from Mass General Brigham, MIT, and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health suggest that caffeine is the primary factor responsible for these neuroprotective benefits. Previous research on caffeine's effects on the brain had been mixed, but these findings indicate its potential advantages.

The study utilized data collected over 40 years from the Nurses' Health Study and Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Analysis revealed that participants who consumed caffeinated coffee showed a lower prevalence of cognitive decline and better performance on cognitive tests compared to those who drank little to no caffeinated coffee. Similar positive outcomes were noted for tea intake, while decaffeinated coffee did not yield comparable results.

Importantly, the study found that the benefits of coffee and caffeine surpassed genetic predispositions to dementia. This suggests that both individuals with high and low genetic risks for the condition may experience these positive effects. While the study highlights encouraging findings, experts emphasize that cognitive function is also influenced by other lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise.