More than 55 million people worldwide are living with brain disorders. The most common type is Alzheimer's disease, which experts believe accounts for about 65% of cases. In an older population, cases of the disease are expected to increase. However, consumption of coffee may lower the risk of Alzheimer's.
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The relationship between coffee consumption and Alzheimer's prevention
Alzheimer's is a very complex condition and is not part of the body's normal aging process. In addition, it causes a number of brain changes that can lead to memory loss and cognitive decline.
However, a new study in Australia has uncovered evidence to suggest there is a link between the amount of coffee people drink and their rate of cognitive decline. This study was published in the specialized journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience.
Furthermore, previous research has also suggested that coffee may reduce the incidence of cognitive disorders. So the authors of this new report set out to explore the issue further.
What do the studies point out?
By analyzing data from tests performed, the researchers were able to see that habitual coffee consumption was positively associated with the cognitive areas of executive function and attention. What's more, those who ate in larger amounts had slower cognitive decline in these areas over the course of the study.
Furthermore, there does not appear to be a link between coffee consumption and brain volume atrophy in this study. The observed results suggest that increasing coffee intake from 1 to 2 cups per day can reduce Alzheimer's risks by up to 8% after 18 months. There may also be a decrease of up to 5% in brain beta-amyloid accumulation over the same period.
However, it is important to consider the limitations of the study, since self-reported dietary data may be subject to recall bias. However, scholars note that coffee intake is less likely to report errors than its long-term habitual nature.