Regular coffee consumption, particularly unsweetened and caffeinated, may help older adults reduce their risk of developing dementia, according to a recent study. Researchers analyzed health records of over 204,000 participants in the UK, focusing on coffee habits and dementia diagnoses over nine years. The study highlights the importance of coffee type, revealing that only unsweetened, caffeinated coffee showed a protective effect against neurodegenerative diseases.
• The study involved 204,847 individuals aged 40 to 69.
• Coffee drinkers had a 34% lower risk of Alzheimer's and related diseases.
• Participants consuming more than three cups daily showed the greatest benefits.
• Sugar-sweetened coffee did not provide the same protective effects.
Understanding the relationship between coffee and dementia is crucial. While the study does not prove a direct cause-and-effect link, it suggests that caffeine may play a role in brain health. The findings encourage further investigation into how coffee consumption can be optimized for cognitive benefits, particularly as the population ages.
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