Study: Moderate coffee and tea consumption may reduce dementia risk

Moderate daily consumption of coffee or tea may be associated with a lower risk of dementia and slower cognitive decline, according to a new large-scale study published in the journal JAMA, Euronews reports.

According to the results, an intake of two to three cups of coffee or one to two cups of tea per day is associated with better preservation of cognitive abilities with aging. Participants with a higher caffeine intake had up to an 18% lower risk of developing dementia compared to people who rarely or never consume caffeinated beverages.

The study involved over 130,000 people followed for 43 years, during which more than 11,000 participants developed dementia. The analysis shows that both moderate and higher caffeine consumption are associated with similar neuroprotective effects, with no adverse outcomes observed at higher intake levels.

Researchers point out that coffee and tea contain biologically active substances, including caffeine and polyphenols, which may support brain health by reducing inflammation, limiting cellular damage, and improving vascular function.

However, scientists emphasize that the study is observational and does not prove a direct causal relationship. According to them, the consumption of caffeinated beverages may be only one of the factors contributing to the maintenance of cognitive health, alongside a healthy diet, physical activity, and the control of cardiovascular risk factors.