Increasing Coffee Consumption Linked to Higher Risk of MCI, Study

Diabetes has long been linked to a higher risk for memory problems the researchers said.

A study of more than 1,400 Italian seniors finds links between patterns of Coffee consumption and their risk for “mild cognitive impairment” declines in memory and thinking that are often a precursor to dementia.

No significant association was detected between those who habitually had more than two cups and the incidence of MCI in comparison with those who never or rarely indulged.

The researchers also noticed that if a subject increased their coffee consumption throughout their life, they also had a chance of experiencing mild cognitive impairment that was 1.5 times higher, compared to subjects who kept their coffee consumption steady throughout their life.

The rate of MCI was also about one-and-a-half times higher than those with a constant habit of one cup-a-day.

Hence, moderate consumption of coffee may prevent MCI through attenuation of sub-clinical neuroinflammation, and reduction in oxidative stress.

Dr Solfrizzi and Dr Panza say caffeine could limit damage caused by rogue proteins in the brain that destroy neurons. But prior research has suggested that caffeine might impact neurological health.

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes the fact that caffeine is not habit-forming and does not induce dependence.

Previous studies about the effects of caffeine said that this vital component of coffee improves memory performance, particularly when backbreaking, recurring tasks are involved.

The study also reinforced previous studies by showing that a moderate coffee intake may also boost the aging brain’s insulin sensitivity and lower a person’s chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

Caffeine can compensate the cognitive decline in older adults because of its effect son attention and vigilance and mainly in situations of reduced alertness.

In conclusion, the others explained that regular and moderate coffee intake might represent a neuroprotective shield against MCI; however, the long-term effect of caffeine on one’s mental status can only be found from neuroimaging studies based on experimental data.

“Larger studies with longer follow-up periods should be encouraged…so hopefully opening new ways for diet-related prevention of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease”, the Italian team concluded.