A morning espresso accompanying a light breakfast or a cup of coffee between business meetings may help reduce the risk of developing dementia, particularly its most severe form—Alzheimer’s disease. This is the conclusion drawn by a team of researchers from leading scientific centers in France.
Most previous studies on this topic have primarily focused on meta-analyses of tea and coffee consumption, with relatively little information gathered about the biological changes caused by caffeine.
The authors of the new study analyzed data from a prospective research project that assessed patients with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease over five years. The scientists confirmed a link between caffeine consumption and markers of Alzheimer’s disease found in cerebrospinal fluid.
What Did the Researchers Discover?
The analysis involved health data from 263 volunteers aged 70 and older, including a detailed clinical study of their caffeine-containing products and beverage consumption, such as coffee, chocolate, tea, and energy drinks. The team aimed to evaluate the amount of caffeine absorbed by the participants’ bodies daily. During the study, volunteers underwent MRI scans and provided blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples.
Those who consumed an average of just over 200 milligrams of caffeine per day were classified into the low caffeine consumption group. In contrast, those accustomed to higher doses fell into the high caffeine consumption group, as reported by Science Alert.
The difference between the groups amounted to one energy drink or one to two cups of coffee per day versus several cans of energy drinks or cups of coffee, respectively. According to the researchers, such a difference could lead to pathologies associated with dementia.
The team found that participants in the first group exhibited a higher likelihood of mild cognitive impairment compared to those who consumed more caffeine. In fact, participants in the low caffeine consumption group were nearly 2.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment.
Meanwhile, a detailed examination of cerebrospinal fluid samples revealed significant differences in the ratios and concentrations of certain forms of beta-amyloid proteins between volunteers in the first and second groups. For those who consumed less caffeine, the concentration of these proteins correlated with a greater likelihood of their aggregation in the brain (a biological marker of neurodegeneration responsible for Alzheimer’s symptoms).
Strangely enough, the amount of caffeine consumed by participants did not affect the level of tau protein, which is known to accumulate in brain tissue as Alzheimer’s symptoms worsen.
Key Takeaways
The new study was based solely on a brief overview of caffeine consumption habits among a few hundred older adults. Therefore, the question remains open as to how morning coffee in youth or middle age might influence the development of dementia in the future.
The authors of the study emphasized the importance of when and how caffeine is consumed. For instance, consuming it late in the day may affect sleep and overall nervous system function. Excessive intake of chocolate and energy drinks is also associated with sugar overload, which poses health risks.
However, considering the number of contemporary studies linking caffeine to overall health, one can confidently say that morning tea, a latte at noon, and a chocolate snack after lunch can play a positive role in maintaining the body’s functionality for many years to come. The study’s results were published in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia.