How many cups of coffee a day could lower your dementia risk? Harvard researchers point to a specific number
That first cup of coffee often feels like fuel for the brain. It sharpens focus, lifts mood and helps you power through the morning. But growing evidence suggests it may also influence how your brain ages.
A large study from Harvard University has examined whether daily caffeine intake is linked to dementia risk.
Decades of data
Researchers analyzed health information from more than 130,000 men and women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study.
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Participants were tracked for up to 43 years, and more than 11,000 developed dementia during that period. The results were published in JAMA.
The data showed that people who regularly consumed two to three cups of caffeinated coffee per day had a 15 to 20 percent lower risk of developing dementia compared with those who rarely drank coffee or tea.
Similar results were seen among those who drank one to two cups of caffeinated tea daily. Decaffeinated coffee was not associated with reduced risk.
Not a magic cure
Because the research is observational, it cannot prove that coffee directly prevents dementia. Other lifestyle habits may contribute to the difference.
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Scientists suggest that caffeine and polyphenols, natural antioxidants found in coffee and tea, may help reduce inflammation and support metabolic health, both linked to brain aging. However, excessive caffeine can raise blood pressure, another known dementia risk factor.
Experts emphasize moderation and a healthy lifestyle, including exercise, balanced nutrition and adequate sleep, as the most reliable ways to support long-term brain health.
Sources: JAMA, NY times og Illustreret Videnskab
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