More health benefits of drinking coffee: lowered risk of Alzheimer's disease

Coffee by Miss Karen

 Coffee, in excess is traditionally considered to be unhealthy, as it can lead to irritability, dehydration, and a jump in blood pressure.  According to a study released in theJournal of Alzheimer’s Disease however, drinking three to five cups a day has shown to reduce the risk of contracting Alzheimer’s Disease by as much as 65%.

Study linking caffeinated coffee and brain health

 The Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia study, a Finnish study started in 1972, found that of the 1409 people who were available to complete the twenty-one year study, 48 ended up with Alzheimer’s Disease.  Those who regularly drank more coffee (three to five cups), once they were around middle-age, had the most positive results.  The researchers believe the promising data may have something to do with the way that caffeine acts on the central nervous system, having an overall stimulatory effect.  Although tea contains caffeine as well, not enough subjects drank tea to be able to draw the same conclusions. 

Implications of the research on coffee and Alzheimer’s disease

The hope is with the results of this study, which ended back in 1998, that there may be new ways to help prevent Alzheimer’s disease with the knowledge of the impact of coffee consumption.  Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible condition in which cognitive function progressively deteriorates.  It starts out with forgetfulness, moodiness, and irritability, and leads to symptoms such as dementia and memory loss.  Although this disease usually only effects people over sixty, a significant number of Americans end up with this condition.

Coffee, it appears may be of some help, although a proper diet and healthy lifestyle are also important factors in prevention.  Nutrients such as the B-complex vitamins, which are key in nervous system function, and are more difficult to absorb as we age, herbs which improve cerebral circulation such as ginkgo biloba, and a daily twenty minute walk to keep blood flowing might be just as useful, if not more so than three to five cups of coffee.  Still, for those who relish every cup, here is another reason to appreciate the coffee bean.