Assessment Of Coffee Intake
All participants were systematically assessed by trained nurses to determine coffee intake. Specifically, the amount of coffee intake for each participant were assessed for the past one year and overall lifetime. Previous epidemiologic studies on the effect of coffee intake,, showed that there was a clear difference in the risk of overall or AD dementia between <2 cups/day and 2 cups/day group. Based on the findings, we categorized the participant into the two group, and tried to test the hypothesis that there is a difference in AD pathology between the two.
Let Your Brain Breathe
The Alzheimers Association has found strong links between smoking and dementia. Smoking causes damage to your heart and blood vessels. Cigarette smoke can also cause swelling in your brain that is linked to dementia.
Action Strategy: Smoking can be a lifelong habit, which makes it very difficult to quit. There are many programs that can be helpful. Consider talking to your doctor or browsing the Smoke Free website. You might be surprised at the apps, programs and support available.
Can Coffee Drinking Prevent Dementia What About Tea
Posted July 14, 2010
Can coffee drinking prevent dementia? What about tea? Which one is better? As we learn more about the causes of dementia, answers to these questions are becoming clearer. Coffee and tea contain caffeine. The widespread availability of foods containing caffeine has led experts to suggest that 80% of all people in North America have measureable levels of caffeine in their brains from embryo to death. Thank goodness that something good does come from this situation.
Recent studies have confirmed that coffee drinking significantly lowers the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. This effect requires about five to six cups of coffee per day for many years and appears to be mostly beneficial only to males primarily due to the lower levels of estrogen. Women benefit from coffee-drinking in other ways, particularly with regard to a reduced incidence of type-2 diabetes. Overall, people who drink substantial amounts of coffee daily tend to live longer than people who do not. Coffee drinking has been correlated with a reduced incidence of colon cancer and liver cirrhosis. Recent evidence suggests that moderate coffee-drinking of about two to three cups each day might reduce your chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
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Coffee Positively Affects Key Protein In Alzheimers Disease
Similar to the beta-amyloid protein, the tau protein is very closely linked with Alzheimers. Build up of the protein is present in brain scans of people with the disease, and it is thought that the tangles of tau can kill brain cells and lead to cognitive decline.
Results from another recent study show that caffeine has a positive effect on the tau protein. Caffeine is an adenosine receptor antagonist, which means it blocks some receptors in the brain that contribute to the build of and entanglement of tau. Researchers hope their findings will lead to a new class of drugs to treat Alzheimers disease.
What Do The Research Studies Reveal About Caffeine And Dementia
The effects of caffeine on the risk of developing dementia has been studied many times. These studies might only be quite small or only apply to a specific group of people, but the media attention they receive can often overstate their impact.
One key study in Florida, which was reported on in 2012,;followed people with mild cognitive impairment and monitored their caffeine levels and their cognitive ability over the next two to four years.
The researchers found that people who did not develop dementia had twice as much caffeine in their blood as those who did.
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Clinical And Neuropsychological Assessments
All participants were administered standardized clinical assessments by trained board-certified psychiatrists based on the KBASE clinical assessment protocol which incorporated the CERAD-K clinical assessment, which incorporates the CERAD-K. All subjects were also given a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment battery, administered by a clinical neuropsychologist or trained psychometrists according to a standardized protocol incorporating the CERAD-K neuropsychological battery. Details on full assessment battery were described previously.
Tips To Spice Up Your Usual Morning Coffee
That correlation between coffee consumption and brain volumes was an especially interesting part of this study, said Dr. Amy Guzik, a neurologist at Wake Forest Baptist Health in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and a member of the American Neurological Association.
Everyone experiences some , but higher amounts of brain volume loss or atrophy can be associated with dementia, Guzik noted. The study doesnt show a cause and effect, but higher amounts of coffee are potentially worrisome, she added.
We all know that coffee affects the brain. We feel it with increased concentration or attention when we have a cup of coffee or tea, and that’s not concerning to me, but too much of anything is probably not good, Guzik said.
This study reinforces that perhaps very high levels of caffeine intake over six cups of coffee a day would be concerning and would be a reason to be talking to your doctor if you’re having memory trouble.
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Education And Cognitive Health
Receiving more education in early life mayreduce risk of dementia. According to Lon Schneider, an author of the report and professor of psychiatry, neurology, and gerontology at the University of Southern California, the more we learn, the more cognitive reserve we build up. While connections between brain cells, also known as synapses, may falter due to aging and sickness, You have more reserves to start with, so youre more resilient against illnesses, said Schneider.
Heres what you can do: Engaging in intellectual activities later in life can potentially help maintain cognitive abilities. One study in China which found people older than the age of 65 who read, played games or bet more frequently were less likely to develop dementia. Another study showed that people who participated in intellectual, physical and social activities in midlife were more likely to have better cognition in old age.
Read more about past research on the link between early childhood education and Alzheimers disease, the most common form of dementia.;;
Coffee Helps Limit Degenerative Brain Illnesses
Scientists explain that caffeine and EHT are not the only protective compounds that coffee has to offer.
They say that chemical compounds, known as phenylindanes, also help to prevent the growth of proteins that relate to degenerative brain illnesses.
The compounds are formed when coffee is brewing.
Experts claim that darker roasts contain more protective compounds.
A different study on coffee and Alzheimers disease was published in Frontiers in Neuroscience.
Researchers from Krembil Brain Institute in Canada analyzed three samples of Starbucks through instant coffee to compare their chemical compounds.
The samples chosen were the decaffeinated dark roast, light roast, and dark roast.
They then exposed the extracts of each sample to 2 kinds of proteins. These were tau and amyloid-beta which are recognized as the hallmarks of Parkinsons and Alzheimers disease.
Studies reveal that as the conditions become worse the proteins tend to form clumps that are referred to as tau protein tangles and amyloid plaques in the brain.
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How Loneliness And Social Isolation Can Lead To Dementia
Forming social connections can enhance a persons cognitive reserve. In other words, paying attention to others and interacting with them keeps our brains active and healthy, Livingston said.;
Additionally, some studies find the opposite social isolation may increase peoples risk of dementia. One study shows that people who are single lifelong and those who are widowed are more likely to have dementia compared to married couples.
Heres what you can do:Livingston suggested seeing and talking to people, walking with others and chatting over tea, coffee or food activities you may find pleasure in doing with others. She reminded us of an important point amid the coronavirus shutdown, a public health crisis which has left many feeling socially isolated: Try to be physically distant but not socially distant.;
Read more about past research on the link between social connection and dementia;;
Health & Wellnesswhat Is The Healthiest Way To Brew Coffee
Kristin Kirkpatrick, the lead dietitian at Cleveland Clinic Wellness & Preventive Medicine, often recommends her patients enjoy two to four cups of coffee a day if they so desire, dont experience anxiety or shakiness afterwards and arent found to be slow metabolizers.
She also recommends starting with whole beans and grinding them because studies show there may be more benefits this way and keeping sugar and creamers in check.
Coffee is an abundant source of bioactive compounds that have been found to benefit health in multiple ways, Kirkpatrick said.
But these benefits can be seen in smaller amounts and studies like this are a great reminder that excess, even in foods that are found to be healthy, may not always benefit health.
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Associations Between Caffeine Consumption Cognitive Decline And Dementia: A Systematic Review
Article type: Research Article
Authors: Chen, J.Q. Alidaa; * | Scheltens, Philipa | Groot, Colina | Ossenkoppele, Rika; b
Affiliations: Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands | Clinical Memory Research Unit, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
Correspondence: Correspondence to: J.Q.A. Chen, Department of Neurology and Alzheimer Center, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam UMC, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 20 444 8548; E-mail: .
Keywords: Caffeine, coffee, cognition, dementia, review, tea
DOI: 10.3233/JAD-201069
Journal: Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, vol. 78, no. 4, pp. 1519-1546, 2020
Abstract
Study Selection And Characteristics
The identification of relevant studies is illust-rated in a flow diagram . Through database searches on PubMed, Web of Science, and cross references, we identified a total of 629 records. First, we excluded 522 articles, including 160 duplicates, based on review of the title and abstract. After full-text assessment of the remaining 107 articles, we excluded 44 articles that had highly overlapping study populations , incompatible study designs , no suitable cognitive outcome measures , only non-caffeine effects , or combined interventions . The remaining 63 studies were assessed for risk of bias, which resulted in the exclusion of two studies . The final selection comprised 48 cohort studies, nine case-control studies, three randomized controlled trials, and one pilot study.
Fig.;1
Flow diagram of identification of relevant studies.
The included studies were published between 1990 and 2020, and were executed in 24 different countries : United States of America , Japan , China , United Kingdom , Finland , The Netherlands , Taipei , Canada , France , Portugal , Singapore , Italy , Australia , Brazil , Germany , Iran , Ireland , Jordan , Norway , Scotland , South Korea , Spain , Sweden , and Switzerland . One study was performed in a multi-national collaboration between Finland, Italy, and the Netherlands. The final selection of articles comprised a total of 153,359 subjects , which were either cognitively impaired or cognitively unimpaired.
Table;1
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Coffee And Primary Prevention Against Alzheimers Disease
Among the most unwelcome effects of aging is cognitive decline, and there are few things scarier than dementia and Alzheimers Disease. Dementia starts in old age or later middle age and is characterized by memory loss over time, confusion, personality and mood changes and impaired thinking and even physical function.
Of people who develop dementia, 6065% of them have Alzheimers Disease, affecting about 26 million people all over the world. The disease is characterized by the death of brain cells, neurofibrillary tangles, and the build up of a plaque called beta amyloid in a patients brain. Because of how it destroys the memory, the disease creates a heavy emotional and practical burden for the patients who suffer from it as well as their loved ones who must provide care. It is the sixth leading cause of death in the United States today. Its causes are not understood very well, and 90% of cases are sporadic and not linked to a family history. Its greatest risk factor is age.
Once Alzheimers begins to kill off brain cells, the process cannot be stopped or reversed by any therapies that have yet been discovered. Primary preventiondoing everything possible to keep the disease from developing in the first placeis the most important thing to do in order to make sure you never have to suffer from this tragic disease.
There is evidence that both caffeine as well as coffees other properties may play a part in improving cognitive function.
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Can Brain Training Reduce Your Risk Of Dementia
While it seems to make sense that keeping and active mind should help prevent a condition characterised by memory loss and cognitive decline, no studies have yet proved this to be true. Most of these studies have struggled to differentiate whether any reduced risk of dementia was due to brain training or something else in a participants life such as having a higher form of education, working in a more mentally stimulating job, or just a higher socioeconomic status. So giving your brain a workout might not be proven to reduce your risk of dementia, but it can be a fun social activity for older people. Read more on our 10 Best Entertainment Apps for Older People or try one of the following?
- Challenge yourself with puzzles, crosswords, sodukus or quizzes
- Play card or board games every day
- Read books
My husband and I have been playing Backgammon every morning over breakfast for the past 25 years. It really helps to engage our minds as we get older and it’s fun to keep track of who’s winning .
Kay, 84 from somerset
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Keep On Top Of Your Health
Depression, hearing loss and even low levels of sleep have all been linked;to a greater incidence of dementia , so getting control of these as they occur can reduce the risk of developing dementia in later life. Blood pressure, cholesterol and weight are also important to maintain at a healthy level as you get older. Regularly having check ups as you get older can also help spot any issues as soon as they present, often improving the outcome, even in dementia.;
If you think that mum, dad or a close elderly relative is showing early signs of dementia it is definitely worth exploring a lasting power of attorney sooner rather than later.
Give Your Brain Strong Relationships
Your brain thrives when you are talking and spending time with those you love. Building and maintaining strong relationships with others is vital to your health and may even reduce your risk of dementia by 26%, according to a study in the American Journal of Public Health.
Action Strategy: Make healthy relationships a priority. Feeling safe and connected can improve your brain health so offer your love and time freely but also set limits on spending time with people who may be toxic.
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More Than 5 Cups Of Coffee A Day May Be Too Much Researcher Say
Previous studies have found that drinking coffee is healthy, with one concluding that even consuming four or more cups daily could reduce your risk of death.
But a new study finds that drinking six or more cups a day increases the risk of developing heart disease by 22 percent.
Investigating the link between long-term coffee consumption and cardiovascular disease, University of South Australia researchers say they found the point at which excess caffeine can cause high blood pressure, a precursor to heart disease. They say this is the first time an upper limit has been placed on safe coffee consumption and cardiovascular health.
Using a database of 347,077 participants aged 37-73 years, the study looked at the ability of the caffeine-metabolizing gene to better process caffeine. After the fifth cup of coffee, increased risks of cardiovascular disease were found, even after considering genetic variations.
In order to maintain a healthy heart and a healthy blood pressure, people must limit their coffees to fewer than six cups a day based on our data six was the tipping point where caffeine started to negatively affect cardiovascular risk, says Professor Elina Hyppönen, of the Australian Centre for Precision Health, and a co-author of the study.
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Why Else Should We Be Sceptical
The women in this study werent representative of women generally. They were better educated than average and just the fact they had survived to 65 to 80 years at the time they entered the study, and then lived even longer to allow follow-up, means they may have been a healthier group. This is called the survivor bias, which can lead to false conclusions.
Nor was there a clear dose-response outlined with the number of cups of caffeinated coffee per day. This means the actual amount of caffeine was not measured and blood levels were not checked. Plus, people make their coffee at different strengths, and because the basis for the analysis is what the women reported, their ideas around caffeine intake measurements could be unreliable.
Further, the diagnoses of dementia were not based on a clinical assessment. Telephone assessments are more prone to error and this introduces some noise.
Also, if the women drank coffee just before their assessments, the alerting effect may have helped them score better.
Another possible explanation for the findings is that women may have cut back on their coffee just before they enrolled in the study for reasons linked to incipient dementia, also known as mild cognitive impairment. For example, incipient Lewy body dementia can lead to sleep disturbances as its first symptom even before the dementia becomes apparent; so people with symptoms might stop coffee to help sleep better.
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