Drinking coffee in middle-age reduces Alzheimer's risk

New research suggests that drinking several cups of coffee each during middle-age, may significantly reduce the odds of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life.

Swedish and Finnish researchers studied the association between tea and coffee consumption during middle-age and the incidence of Alzheimer's disease in late-life. The researchers first questioned people about their tea and coffee drinking habits. A total of 1409 participants were available for the follow-up re-examination approximately 21 years later. At follow-up participants were aged between 65 to 79, and 61 participants were found to be suffering from dementia, 48 of which had Alzheimer's disease.

Results showed that people who drank coffee whilst middle-aged had a significantly lower risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease than those who drank little or no coffee. With participants who reported a moderate coffee consumption (3 to 5 cups each day) being 65% less likely to develop dementia/Alzheimer's disease than those who drank little or no coffee. Tea drinking was uncommon in the study population and the researchers found no association between drinking tea and dementia/Alzheimer's disease.

“Given the large amount of coffee consumption globally, the results might have important implications for the prevention of or delaying the onset of dementia/Alzheimer's disease,” said lead researcher, Miia Kivipelto. “The finding needs to be confirmed by other studies, but it opens the possibility that dietary interventions could modify the risk of dementia/Alzheimer's disease. Also, identification of mechanisms of how coffee exerts its protection against dementia/Alzheimer's disease might help in the development of new therapies for these diseases."

Eskelinen MH, Ngandu T, Tuomilehto J, Soininen H, Kivipelto M. Midlife Coffee and Tea Drinking and the Risk of Late-Life Dementia: A Population-based CAIDE Study. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. 2009;16 [in press].

News release: Midlife coffee and tea drinking and the risk of late-life dementia. Karolinska Institutet. January 14th 2009.

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