Daily coffee linked to lower dementia risk in long-running U.S. study
Adults who drank more caffeinated coffee had far fewer dementia cases, though the study shows an association, not proof of cause.
A long-running study of U.S. adults found that regular caffeinated coffee drinking is associated with a substantially lower risk of dementia and better cognitive health as people age. Researchers followed participants for as long as 43 years.
The strongest links appeared among people who drank two to three cups of caffeinated coffee a day. Among those who drank more caffeinated coffee, researchers recorded 141 dementia cases per 100,000 people each year, compared with 330 per 100,000 among those who rarely or never drank it. Tea was also linked to better outcomes, though its most beneficial amount was lower. Decaffeinated coffee did not show the same benefit.
Participants who drank more caffeinated coffee were also less likely to report memory or thinking decline they had noticed themselves, at 7.8% compared with 9.5%. The researchers noted that the findings show an association and do not prove coffee prevents dementia, since other differences between coffee drinkers and non-drinkers could also play a role.
Key points
- Higher caffeinated coffee intake was associated with 141 dementia cases per 100,000 yearly, versus 330 among low or non-drinkers.
- The strongest association was seen at two to three cups a day.
- Decaf showed no similar benefit, pointing to caffeine as a possible factor.
- The study shows association, not proof of cause.
Read the original reporting
Summarized with AI from the sources above and reviewed before publishing.
