Coffee Drinking Associated with Reduced Dementia Risk

Tue, Aug 18, 15 by Jim Couch

Drinking coffee and getting regular exercise have been shown to reduce the risk of dementia in seniors, and two recent studies help show why: one published by the American Heart Association shows that seniors who regularly exercise reduced their risk of vascular-related dementia by 40 percent. Just 30 minutes of exercise 3 times per week had a significant effect on brain health.

A second study published in the November issue of The Journal of Nuclear Medicine showed that drinking 3-5 cups of coffee per day at mid-life is linked to a reduced risk of dementia in late life. This also helps with protecting against Parkinson’s Disease- researchers attribute caffeine’s effects to how it interacts with cerebral adenosine receptors, which caffeine binds to. Regular caffeine consumption caused up to 50 percent occupancy of certain brain receptors, keeping the brain healthy and alert.

The US average for coffee drinkers is two five-ounce cups per day, or 200 mg of caffeine.