How many cups of tea or coffee can lower dementia risk? Study reveals the benefits

There are currently estimated to be 982,000 people with dementia in the UK and early prevention is crucial, with caffeine appearing to help protect the brain from the condition

Comments

Nine lifestyle changes that could prevent dementia

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

People who drink three cups of tea or coffee a day could cut their risk of getting dementia by almost a fifth, a new study has found.

There are currently estimated to be 982,000 people with dementia in the UK and early prevention is crucial, with caffeine appearing to help protect the brain from the condition.

That is according to health records of 131,000 people in the US, who recorded how many caffeinated hot drinks they had a day and compared it to their memory and health over four decades.

Participants who drank two to three cups of caffeinated tea or coffee per day were found to have a 15 to 20 per cent lower risk of dementia than those who went without. But drinking more than three cups of tea and coffee had “no additional advantages”.

Caffeinated coffee drinkers also reported slightly less cognitive decline than those who opted for decaf and performed better on some brain tests.

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Thank you for registering

How many cups of tea or coffee can lower dementia risk? Study reveals the benefits

There are currently estimated to be 982,000 people with dementia in the UK and early prevention is crucial, with caffeine appearing to help protect the brain from the condition

Bookmark popover