Study suggests consuming 2 to 3 cups of coffee can lower dementia risk

A new study suggests caffeinated coffee and tea enhance cognitive performance. (Picture: Pexels)

• Drinking 2-3 cups of caffeinated coffee daily lowers dementia risk by 18 percent
• Tea drinkers also showed improved cognition, but decaf coffee had no benefit
• Coffee and tea's polyphenols and caffeine may boost brain health and performance

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If you are one of those who can’t survive the day without 2 to 3 cups of coffee, there’s good news. According to a large observational study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, those who consume tea or coffee have a lower risk of dementia and slightly better cognitive performance.

Dr Austin Perlmutter, a wellness expert, spoke about the study in a recent Instagram post and broke it down for his followers. He shared that the research analysed health data from more than 130,000 people over a 40-year follow-up period and found that those who consumed roughly 2 to 3 cups of caffeinated coffee experienced the greatest benefit to brain health.

He said, “What they actually found was that people drinking more caffeinated coffee had an 18% lower risk of developing dementia.” A similar benefit was discovered for people who drank roughly 1 to 2 cups of tea a day. Interestingly, this benefit was not seen in people who drank decaf coffee.

Dr Perlmutter further explained that the reason both coffee and tea have many health benefits is due to the presence of polyphenols in them. “Caffeine in particular binds to a receptor for adenosine, which is why you feel more awake when you have caffeinated coffee. But we also know caffeine can change neurotransmitters like dopamine, as well as other neurotransmitters in the brain.”

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A post shared by Austin Perlmutter, MD (@draustinperlmutter)

While it may improve cognitive performance, it’s not certain how exactly it is linked to caffeine. Dr Perlmutter added, “It is noteworthy that it is caffeinated coffee and not decaf coffee that is linked to these benefits. That doesn’t mean everyone needs to be consuming caffeinated coffee. Also, some people may have issues with consuming too much caffeine.”

Finally, he said, “The takeaway here is that consumption of coffee in particular and also tea to some extent is linked to better cognition in terms of dementia rates when they pull data from multiple observational sets over this incredibly long period of 43 years.”

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FAQs on health benefits of drinking coffee in moderation

1. What does “drinking coffee in moderation” mean?

Moderate consumption generally refers to about 2 to 4 cups (roughly 200–400 mg of caffeine) per day for most healthy adults.

2. Can coffee improve brain function?

Yes. Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and may improve alertness, focus, reaction time, and short-term memory.

3. Is coffee linked to a lower risk of dementia?

Some studies suggest that moderate coffee intake may be associated with a reduced risk of cognitive decline and dementia, though more research is needed to confirm a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

4. Does coffee help with mood?

Coffee may boost mood by increasing dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain. Moderate intake has been linked to a lower risk of depression in some studies.

5. Can coffee support heart health?

Research suggests that moderate coffee consumption may be linked to a lower risk of certain cardiovascular conditions. However, excessive intake can raise heart rate and blood pressure in some individuals.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.