Coffee, a beloved morning ritual for many, is known not only for its ability to kickstart the day but also for its numerous health benefits. These range from enhancing longevity and reducing the risk of several diseases to strengthening DNA strands. Recently, researchers from the University of Finland and Turku University Hospital have shed light on how caffeine influences dopamine function in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. While previous studies suggest that regular caffeine intake may lower the risk of developing PD, this new research reveals that high caffeine consumption does not improve the dopamine system or symptoms in patients already diagnosed with PD. Instead, it appears to trigger a compensatory downregulation in brain dopamine function, similar to effects seen in healthy individuals after stimulant use.
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