Can coffee reduce the risk of Alzheimer's Disease?
What is Alzheimer's?
Alzheimer’s disease is the leading cause of dementia and is more prevalent than many realise. Approximately one in 20 adults over 65 suffers from the condition, with nearly 44 million people affected worldwide.
This disease causes progressive, long-term cognitive decline, often linked to the accumulation of beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ) in the brain. While memory loss is the most widely recognised symptom, it’s far from the only one. Other symptoms include hallucinations, anxiety, delusions, depression, and irritability, all contributing to the gradual impairment of cognitive function.
How does coffee help reduce the onset of Alzheimer’s?
A 2018 study by the Krembil Brain Institute explored the link between caffeine consumption and Alzheimer’s. Dr. Donald Weaver and his team examined dark roast, light roast, and decaffeinated dark roast coffees. They identified phenylindanes, compounds formed during roasting, as key players in preventing the accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aβ), a protein associated with cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s. Notably, darker roasts contained higher levels of these protective compounds.
While promising, Dr. Weaver emphasised the need for further research to explore how these findings could translate into treatments for dementia or cognitive decline.
This isn’t the first time coffee has been linked to Alzheimer’s prevention. A 2009 study from Sweden and Denmark tracked over 1,400 participants for 20 years, finding that those who drank three to five cups of coffee daily were 65% less likely to develop dementia than those who consumed fewer than three cups.
2. Another observational study in 2010 produced interesting findings
Researchers tested the link between caffeine and Alzheimer’s in mice. Mice with Alzheimer’s were given caffeine in their drinking water for one to two months. Following treatment, they showed signs of memory restoration and reduced levels of beta-amyloid (Aβ), suggesting improved cognitive function.
When the mice received acute caffeine treatment (a single oral dose), Aβ levels in the brain and plasma decreased rapidly. Interestingly, similar results were observed in humans given acute caffeine treatment.
The study concluded that moderate coffee consumption—around 500 mg of caffeine or five cups daily—could protect both mice and humans from Alzheimer’s. It also suggested that caffeine might hold potential as a therapeutic option for treating the disease.
Conclusion
The research so far highlights caffeine's unexpected potential beyond its energising effects—it may also help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
While the findings are promising, more studies are needed before they can be translated into effective treatments. For now, there’s one more reason to savour your cup of coffee, guilt-free.