DUBAI – QAHWA WORLD
The saying about fruit and doctors might need an update: your daily cup of coffee could also play a role in keeping your mind active as you age.
Public debate around popular indulgences like coffee, tea, alcohol, and chocolate tends to swing back and forth. However, researchers based in Cambridge, Massachusetts have recently reported findings that place caffeinated drinks in a more positive light, particularly when it comes to long-term cognitive health.
A large research review drawing on decades of data and involving more than 130,000 adults observed an association between regular consumption of coffee or caffeinated tea and a lower likelihood of developing dementia. The analysis also suggested slower cognitive decline and better maintenance of mental performance among habitual caffeine consumers.
The researchers propose that compounds found in caffeinated coffee and tea may have neuroprotective properties, potentially helping to limit inflammation and cellular damage in the brain. These mechanisms are discussed as possible explanations for the observed relationship with cognitive outcomes.
The findings are especially relevant for older adults. Dementia diagnoses have risen sharply in recent years, and projections from health professionals anticipate a substantial increase in new cases in the coming decades. According to the study’s senior author, the widespread and routine nature of coffee consumption made it an appealing dietary factor to examine in the search for practical approaches to supporting brain health.
Earlier studies on caffeine and cognition often struggled to assess long-term effects or to separate outcomes by beverage type. By combining data from long-running cohort studies that tracked participants for more than four decades, the researchers were able to compare the cognitive trajectories of people who consumed caffeinated coffee, caffeinated tea, decaffeinated coffee, or little caffeine at all.
Within the study population, about 8% of participants developed dementia over time. Those who reported the highest intake of caffeinated coffee showed a notably lower risk compared with individuals who consumed minimal caffeine. Similar patterns were observed among tea drinkers, while decaffeinated coffee did not show the same association, leading the authors to focus on caffeine as a potential key factor.
As for quantity, the analysis pointed to moderate intake rather than excess. Approximately two to three cups of coffee per day, or one to two cups of tea, were associated with the most favorable cognitive outcomes.
The researchers also reported that the observed associations were consistent regardless of genetic predisposition to dementia, suggesting that caffeine’s potential benefits may apply across different levels of inherited risk.
That said, coffee is only one small element in a much broader picture. Dementia risk is strongly influenced by genetics and by health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, and mental health challenges. The authors emphasized that the effect linked to caffeine was modest and should be viewed as one possible component of a comprehensive approach to healthy aging.
In short, while caffeine is not a cure or a guarantee, moderate coffee or tea consumption may be one lifestyle factor associated with maintaining cognitive health later in life.
