Protect Your Brain with Coffee and Tea

A large JAMA study has found that moderate coffee and tea consumption is linked to lower dementia risk and better brain function. Caffeine and polyphenols present in them play a protective role, reducing inflammation and cell damage.

Coffee and tea lovers have another reason to enjoy their daily brew because research indicates caffeinated beverages may help protect brain function and prevent dementia.

The research, published in Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) February 9 found that higher consumption of caffeinated coffee and tea was associated with lower risk of dementia and slightly better cognitive abilities especially at moderate intake levels.

The study was based on responses by over 130,000 adults in the US through questionnaires over 40 years.

“When searching for possible dementia prevention tools, we thought something as prevalent as coffee may be a promising dietary intervention - and our unique access to high-quality data through studies that have been going on for more than 40 years allowed us to follow through on that idea,” said senior author Daniel Wang, associate scientist with the Channing Division of Network Medicine in the Mass General Brigham Department of Medicine and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School.

Interestingly, decaffeinated coffee did not show the same benefits showing that caffeine in both tea and coffee has a key role in protecting the brain though more research is needed to confirm how it works.

People who drank two to three cups of coffee or one to two cups of tea each day benefitted more, per the Harvard Gazette Contrary to some earlier studies, higher caffeine intake didn’t cause any negative impact.

According to the Harvard Gazette, coffee and tea have natural compounds like caffeine and polyphenols that may be the neuroprotective factors to provide brain protection by reducing inflammation and cell damage. They could lower the risk of cognitive decline like memory problems.

The study also compared people with different genetic risks for dementia and got the results, which means that coffee, or caffeine, seems to help protect the brain whether someone has a high or low genetic risk, per Harvard Gazette.

More Benefits of Coffee and Tea  

Coffee also helps in fat burning as caffeine can enhance the release of fatty acids from fat tissues thereby making them available as fuel during work out.  It is no wonder then that a large number of fitness lovers tend to include the drink in their weight-loss plans.

The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) arrived at the conclusion that caffeine emerged as an effective ergogenic aid when taken in doses of 0.9–2.7 mg per pound (2–6 mg per kg) of body weight. It equals nearly 135–405 mg for a 68-kg person.

Coffee has been proved beneficial in reversing fatty liver disease in people having non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Research shows that people who drink three to four cups of coffee daily have a lower risk of developing fatty liver disease due to improving insulin resistance and diabetes.

Likewise, studies have found that consuming caffeine available in some teas, in low doses and regularly, may contribute to better focus and alertness.

The presence of polyphenols in green and black teas is associated with the healthy regulation of cancer cell growth and survival, leading to a lower risk of developing cancer.

“Several recent analyses have found that higher consumption of tea, especially black tea and green tea, are associated with reduced risks of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, diabetes, and early death," according to Dr Frank Hu, chair of the Department of Nutrition and professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

How much Caffeine is Safe?

Up to 400 mg of caffeine per day is deemed safe for most adults, which is about the amount of caffeine in four cups of brewed coffee, 10 cans of cola or two ‘energy shot’ drinks, according to mayoclinic.org.

Drink Coffee and tea by all means but be mindful of the quantity for better health and well-being. Moderation is the key here to get the maximum benefits.

Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider with any questions about your health or treatment options.