Daily Hot Drink Could Reduce Dementia Risk 'By 18%' – How Many Cups You Need
New research suggests that a daily hot drink could slash the risk of developing dementia by up to 18 per cent. A comprehensive study has found that habitual consumption of caffeinated tea or coffee significantly diminishes the likelihood of dementia onset.
Optimal Consumption Levels for Maximum Benefit
The protective effect was most pronounced at moderate consumption levels. Specifically, the study observed benefits among those drinking one to two cups of tea daily or two to three cups of coffee. However, decaffeinated coffee demonstrated no such protective properties against dementia.
Published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the research examined data from over 130,000 Americans monitored for up to 43 years. During this extensive period, 11,033 dementia diagnoses were recorded.
Participants reported their coffee and tea intake every few years, allowing scientists to track drinking habits across decades. The findings revealed that coffee consumers were not only less likely to receive a dementia diagnosis but also experienced fewer memory difficulties and performed slightly better in cognitive assessments.
Tea Drinkers Require Smaller Quantities for Similar Benefits
Those who drank tea enjoyed comparable advantages, though they required smaller quantities to achieve them. While coffee enthusiasts needed two to three daily cups for optimal benefit, tea drinkers gained equivalent protection from just one to two cups.
According to the research, habitual caffeine drinkers demonstrated an 18 per cent reduced risk of developing dementia over a 40-year period. These protective effects remained consistent regardless of genetic predisposition, including the APOE4 gene variant known to increase Alzheimer's susceptibility.
The study's authors noted: "The most pronounced associated differences were observed with intake of approximately two to three cups per day of caffeinated coffee or one to two cups per day of tea."
They further explained: "Greater consumption of caffeinated coffee and tea was associated with lower risk of dementia and modestly better cognitive function, with the most pronounced association at moderate intake levels."
Caffeine's Protective Properties Explained
Both beverages contain abundant caffeine and antioxidants, which help counter brain inflammation. Tea provides additional beneficial compounds beyond what coffee offers.
- Green and black tea varieties are laden with catechins – natural plant substances that may protect neural cells
- Tea contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which promotes calmness while maintaining alertness
The research made no distinction between green and black tea varieties, so it remains uncertain whether one type holds an advantage over the other. Scientists have identified multiple mechanisms through which caffeine may offer protection against dementia, though much supporting data derives from animal research.
Caffeine inhibits specific receptors in the brain that ordinarily decelerate cellular function. Through this mild stimulation, caffeine may help forestall the build-up of harmful proteins called beta-amyloid, a defining hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.
Additional Health Benefits Beyond Caffeine
Caffeine appears to lessen inflammation within the brain as well. Persistent inflammation can damage brain cells gradually and accelerate cognitive deterioration.
Furthermore, consistent caffeine consumption improves the body's ability to process sugar, lowering the likelihood of diabetes – a major contributing factor to dementia development.
Coffee and tea provide far more than simply caffeine. Both beverages are rich in antioxidants, which protect cells from harm and may improve cerebral blood circulation.
These elements function together, although the research highlights that caffeine performs the majority of the heavy lifting. Notably, genetics didn't change the outcome. People carrying the APOE4 gene variant benefited from caffeine equally as much as those lacking this genetic tendency.
Study Limitations and Considerations
The research did have its constraints, however. The investigation relied upon participants' self-reported dietary patterns via questionnaires, which didn't capture specific types of tea or coffee preparation techniques that could influence bioactive compound concentrations.
Dementia diagnoses were determined through death certificates and participants' accounts of medical consultations rather than comprehensive neurological evaluations, potentially leading to undetected cases or misclassifications.
The observational design of the research means it is unable to establish a direct causal relationship between coffee consumption and brain health. The study's participants were mainly white healthcare workers, which may limit how widely the results can be applied to other ethnic backgrounds or diverse socioeconomic demographics.
Despite these limitations, the findings offer promising insights into how simple daily habits might contribute to long-term brain health protection.
