Caffeinated Coffee, Tea Linked to Lower Dementia Risk

New research published in the JAMA suggests that daily consumption of two to three cups of caffeinated coffee or one to two cups of tea is associated with a lower risk of dementia, slower cognitive decline, and preserved cognitive function. The long-term observational study, conducted by scientists at Mass General Brigham, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Broad Institute, involved nearly 132,000 healthy adults over a median follow-up of 37 years. Lead author Zhang Yu noted that the results are reassuring for existing coffee drinkers. Daniel Wang, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, highlighted that bioactive ingredients like polyphenols and caffeine may offer neuroprotective benefits. Experts like Kellyann Niotis and Benjamin Katz discussed the complexities and limitations, such as differentiating effects from other compounds and the influence of additions like sugar. While promising, researchers emphasize that coffee alone is not a magical prevention tool, and other lifestyle factors remain crucial for brain health.