Research Can Coffee Consumption Lower the Risk of Dementia in Women?

Caffeinated drinks seem to reduce the likelihood of dementia
Over the past few years, people have been hearing about the positive health effects of coffee over and over again. Researchers now found that consuming the caffeinated drink could be associated with a lower risk of dementia in older women.

A team of scientists found in one study that consuming coffee in older women could reduce the likelihood of dementia. The physicians published the results of their study in the journal "Journals of Gerontology".

There could be a new way to protect older women from dementia. Researchers found that consuming coffee or other caffeine-containing beverages seems to reduce the risk of dementia in women. (Image: dimakp / fotolia.com)

Older women should consume about 261 milligrams of caffeine per day
The new study looked at just under 6,500 women aged 65 to 80 years. These participants received medical supervision over a period of ten years. The women were divided into two groups. One group received about 261 milligrams of caffeine per day, and the other group averaged about 64 milligrams of caffeine. If the participants consumed about 261 milligrams of caffeine a day, their risk of dementia would have been reduced by up to 36 percent, say the doctors. The amount of caffeine corresponded to about three cups of coffee with 95 mg of caffeine daily.

Study does not clarify the cause-and-effect relationship between caffeine and dementia
However, the results of the new study are not sufficient to establish a definitive relationship between the cause and effect of caffeine use and dementia prevention, the authors explain. For example, the results could have been influenced by the fact that the participants themselves had to document the consumption data.

Further research on this topic is urgently needed
"Although we can not explain the direct relationship between higher caffeine intake and a lower incidence of cognitive impairment and dementia," said Dr. Ira Driscoll from the University of Wisconsin in an interview with Milwaukee's Sentinel journal. But further studies could quantify the impact on cognitive health, Driscoll explains.

Other studies confirm the positive health effects of coffee
There were a number of other studies indicating the positive health effects of coffee consumption. These included, for example, the lower risk of cardiovascular disease, the researchers say. Other analyzes have also identified a possible link between drinks such as tea and coffee and protection against cognitive disorders. Nevertheless, scientists can not say for sure why this effect occurs. (As)