Regular coffee and tea consumption appears to significantly reduce the risk of dementia. Both the likelihood of Alzheimer's disease and the risk of vascular dementia (the two most common forms of dementia) decrease as consumption of the popular hot drinks increases.
A research team including experts from National Taiwan University examined the influence of coffee and tea consumption on the risk of dementia, including how gender and vascular comorbidities influence the association. The corresponding study results are published in the “Journal of the Formosan Medical Association”.
Benefits of tea and coffee
Various previous studies have already provided evidence of a positive influence of tea and coffee on cognitive functions and, for example, at the end of 2021, research suggested that the risk of Alzheimer's disease can be reduced by drinking coffee.
Researchers at the University of Verona have also been able to identify mechanisms through which espresso protects against tau proteins that cause Alzheimer's. Further studies also show that drinking tea increases our brain efficiency and can help protect cognitive functions.
Impact on the risk of dementia?
Using 278 older people with Alzheimer's, 102 people with vascular dementia and 468 control subjects, the researchers now examined what influence the consumption of coffee and tea actually has on the risk of dementia and what role gender and vascular risk factors play in this.
The team determined the frequency and amount of coffee and tea consumption as well as the presence of vascular comorbidities among the participants. They then analyzed possible associations with the risk of dementia, stratified by gender and vascular comorbidities.
Three cups a day reduces risk
According to the results, consuming at least three cups of coffee or tea per day significantly reduces the risk of Alzheimer's and vascular dementia, the research team reports.
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In addition, the risk of Alzheimer's disease was reduced particularly significantly in women and people with high blood pressure due to a higher amount of coffee and tea, while people with diabetes benefited from a particularly significant reduction in the risk of vascular dementia, the researchers add.
The presence of hyperlipidemia also influenced the association of coffee and tea consumption with the risk of Alzheimer's and vascular dementia, but only to a moderate extent.
Decreasing risk with increasing consumption
In summary, the risk of Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia decreases with increasing coffee and tea consumption, although this effect may differ depending on gender and vascular comorbidities such as high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia and diabetes.
Since further positive health effects can be expected from the regular consumption of the two hot drinks, including them in the daily diet seems to be recommended overall. (fp)
