What to know about a new study on coffee, tea, caffeine and dementia risk
A recent long-term study has suggested that individuals who regularly consume caffeinated coffee and tea may have a reduced risk of developing dementia. However, it is important to note that this study does not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship.
Dr. Céline Gounder, a medical contributor for CBS News and editor-at-large for public health at KFF Health News, cautioned that these findings should be interpreted with caution.
The study, which was published in the prestigious medical journal JAMA, analyzed data from 131,821 participants over a period spanning from 1986 to 2023. Among the participants, 11,033 individuals developed dementia during the course of the study.
Researchers examined the self-reported consumption of coffee, caffeinated tea, and decaffeinated coffee among the participants and monitored their cognitive health over time. They observed that individuals who consumed higher amounts of caffeinated coffee had an 18% lower risk of dementia compared to those who consumed little to no caffeinated coffee. Additionally, those who drank more caffeinated coffee exhibited a lower incidence of cognitive decline.
The most significant benefits were seen in individuals who consumed two to three cups of caffeinated coffee per day or one to two cups of caffeinated tea. The researchers emphasized that while higher caffeinated coffee intake was associated with a lower risk of dementia, decaffeinated coffee consumption did not show a significant correlation with dementia risk.
Despite these findings, Dr. Gounder stressed that the reduction in risk was relatively small and that the study only established an association rather than causation. It is possible that other factors beyond caffeinated beverage consumption could influence dementia risk. The authors of the study acknowledged the need for further research to validate their results.
Gounder expressed frustration with studies that seek to validate common behaviors like coffee consumption in relation to high-risk outcomes such as dementia. She emphasized the importance of considering other potential factors that could impact dementia risk, such as underlying health conditions that may influence an individual’s choice to avoid caffeinated beverages.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, over 7 million Americans are currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, the leading cause of dementia. Gounder recommended focusing on lifestyle factors like regular exercise, a healthy diet, and maintaining a healthy weight to help reduce the risk of dementia. She also highlighted the link between hearing loss and dementia risk as a warning sign that should not be overlooked.
The study published in JAMA involved 43 years of follow-up with repeated dietary assessments and cognitive function evaluations. The research was conducted by investigators from Mass General Brigham, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard.
