Certain coffees protect against dementia and Parkinson's disease

Coffee on the way to the cure

In addition to caffeine, the coffee bean contains thousands of compounds whose effects on the body are less well-known. An American research team has found in a recent study a hitherto neglected substance in the waxy coating of the bean, which in combination with the caffeine protects the brain from degenerative diseases such as dementia and Parkinson's.

Researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey discovered that the substance eicosanoyl-5-hydroxytryptamide (EHT) from the coating of coffee bean in combination with caffeine prevents the formation of harmful protein accumulations (Lewy body). These Lewy bodies are considered to trigger Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia, the second most common dementia disorder after Alzheimer's disease. The study results were recently published in the journal "PNAS - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences".

For a long time, coffee was considered unhealthy, but more and more studies show that the popular hot drink has more positive effects on health. (Image: fabiomax / fotolia.com)

Coffee as medicine against Parkinson's and dementia?

"These two compounds from coffee could protect the brain from degeneration," the researchers write in the university's press release on the study findings. The discovery even suggests that these compounds are useful as a therapy to slow down incurable degenerative diseases.

Harmful protein accumulation in the brain is prevented

The researchers focused in their study on the molecule EHT. In experiments on mice, the team was able to prove that EHT prevented the formation of the so-called Lewy bodies. These harmful protein accumulations lead to bottlenecks and blockages in the brain. Although the causes of Parkinson's and dementia have not yet been clearly identified, these bodies are clearly involved in the disease process and, according to the current state of research, are the main trigger.

Only together is the effect strong

The research team gave the mice small doses of caffeine or EHT both separately and together. Alone the fabrics were not effective. Only when co-administered could they prevent the harmful accumulations in the brain. From this the researchers conclude that the combination of EHT and caffeine can slow down or even stop the progression of these diseases.

EHT can be found in every type of coffee?

"EHT is a compound found in different coffees, but the amount varies," explains lead author of the study, M. Maral Mouradian, who is also the director of the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School Institute for Neurological Therapeutics. It is now important to find the appropriate ratio for the protective effect, as a coffee overdose may also be associated with adverse health effects.

Coffee: From poison to remedy?

Many people ask themselves, "Is coffee poison or medicine?" Several recent research shows a clear trend towards cures. For example, another recent analysis by the University of Southampton found that three cups of coffee per day are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. At too high coffee consumption, however, the effect was lost. (Vb)