2–3 Caffeinated Cups a Day Tied to Lower Dementia Risk — SkimNews
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- Higher caffeinated coffee consumption was associated with 141 dementia cases per 100,000 people annually, versus 330 among people who rarely or never drank caffeinated coffee; the U.S. study followed participants for up to 43 years.
- Two to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily showed the strongest association with lower dementia risk and better cognitive function, while larger amounts did not appear to provide additional protection.
- Genetic risk did not erase the association between caffeinated coffee and cognitive outcomes; the relationship remained apparent among participants whose inherited characteristics suggested greater vulnerability to dementia.
- Subjective cognitive decline was reported by 7.8% of adults consuming higher amounts of caffeinated coffee, versus 9.5% of those who rarely or never drank it.
- Tea consumption showed the strongest association at one to two cups daily, though the study did not distinguish between caffeinated and noncaffeinated tea.
- Decaffeinated coffee did not show the same association as caffeinated coffee, but researchers said that contrast did not establish caffeine as the cause.
Why it matters: For adults concerned about cognitive decline, the study offers a concrete long-term finding: two to three caffeinated cups daily had the strongest associations, while higher intake did not appear to add further protection. Because the findings are observational, other differences between drinkers and non-drinkers remain possible explanations, so the results do not justify treating coffee as dementia prevention.
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