Coffee not only helps increase alertness and energy but also contributes to extending lifespan due to its ability to reduce the risk of heart failure, stroke, diabetes, and even certain types of cancer when consumed in moderation.
Notably, coffee is also considered an "ally" that helps reduce the risk of dementia in older adults. So, how much coffee per day is a reasonable amount? A large-scale study spanning nearly half a century, recently published in the journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), has provided the answer. Scientists from the Mass General Brigham Hospital System, the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA), analyzed data from 131,821 participants, with an average age of 46, who did not have cancer, Parkinson's disease, or dementia at the start of the study. Information about the participants' diets was collected every 2 to 4 years using a food frequency questionnaire. During the 43-year follow-up period, 11,033 people developed dementia, according to the science news site Scitechdaily.
Drinking 2-3 cups of coffee a day reduces the risk of dementia. The research results found that those who consumed the most caffeinated coffee had an 18% lower risk of dementia compared to those who drank little or no coffee.
The researchers explained that coffee contains many bioactive compounds, including caffeine and polyphenols. These substances can help protect the brain by reducing inflammation and limiting cellular damage - which are two main causes leading to cognitive decline. Drinking tea also brings similar benefits, with the highest effectiveness achieved at 1 to 2 cups of tea per day. However, decaffeinated coffee (decaf) did not yield the same effect. This indicates that caffeine plays a key role in the brain-protective effect.
The scientists concluded that the consumption of caffeinated coffee or tea is a promising intervention to support cognitive function as we age. Particularly, this result is consistent even among those with a genetic predisposition to dementia.
In summary, a daily dose of coffee can be an effective tool to protect the brain and slow down long-term memory decline for older adults.
Reference from Thanh Nien Newspaper
