Can Coffee Help Ward Off Dementia In Women?

There have been a lot of claims about coffee in the recent years. While one bit of research finds that its good for heart health, another study explores the adverse effects of coffee on dental health. The most recent research study published cast coffee in a favorable light; the study has found a link between coffee consumption and warding off dementia.

The Study

Published in The Journals of Gerentology, the study followed 6,500women over ten years monitoring their coffee consumption per day as well as their cognitive ability (though assessments ) per year. The women were aged between 65 and 80 and the study took under account the serving size and type of caffeinated drinks (tea, coffee and cola) they drank.

The Results

The researchers found that those who drank over 261 milligrams of caffeine per day were 36% less likely to get dementia.

“While we can’t make a direct link between higher caffeine consumption and lower incidence of cognitive impairment and dementia, with further study, we can better quantify its relationship with cognitive health outcomes,” lead author Ira Driscoll, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, said. Some researchers believe that caffeine can bind receptors in the brain, leading to better cognitive health.

“Research on this topic will be beneficial not only from a preventative standpoint but also to better understand the underlying mechanisms and their involvement in dementia and cognitive impairment,” Driscoll added.