In a new study from the University of South Australia, researchers found that too much could be dragging us down, especially when it comes to brain health.
They found that high coffee consumption is linked to smaller total brain volumes and an increased risk of dementia.
In the study, the team assessed the effects of coffee on the brain among 17,702 UK Biobank participants (aged 37-73). They found that those who drank more than six cups of coffee a day had a 53% increased risk of dementia.
This is the most extensive investigation into the connections between coffee, brain volume measurements, the risks of dementia, and the risks of stroke.
The researchers consistently found that higher coffee consumption was significantly associated with reduced brain volume – essentially, drinking more than six cups of coffee a day may be putting people at risk of brain diseases such as dementia and stroke.
Dementia is a degenerative brain condition that affects memory, thinking, behavior and the ability to perform everyday tasks.
About 50 million people are diagnosed with the syndrome worldwide. In Australia, dementia is the second leading cause of death, with an estimated 250 people diagnosed each day.
Stroke is a condition where the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, resulting in oxygen starvation, brain damage and loss of function.
The team says while the news may be a bitter brew for coffee lovers, it’s all about finding a balance between what people drink and what’s good for their health.
This research provides vital insights about heavy coffee consumption and brain health, but as with many things in life, moderation is the key.
Typical daily coffee consumption is somewhere between one and two standard cups of coffee. Of course, while unit measures can vary, a couple of cups of coffee a day is generally fine.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about walking patterns may help determine specific dementia types and findings of unstable blood pressure may mean big dementia risk.
For more information about dementia and your health, please see recent studies about this tooth disease linked to cognitive decline, dementia and results showing that this type of yoga may benefit people with dementia.
The study is published in Nutritional Neuroscience. One author of the study is Kitty Pham.
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