Numerous studies are increasingly demonstrating the positive effects of coffee on people’s health. Setting aside various myths and misconceptions about the beverage, researchers are increasingly finding that coffee is beneficial overall. It supports specific functions in our bodies, enhances concentration, and can aid in sports performance. Meanwhile, scientists’ understanding of its effects on the brain has been limited, though they’re gradually gaining more insight.
A recent review of previous studies published in the Alzheimer’s Association journal concludes that regular coffee consumption may have a positive impact on diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This is because there’s a link between coffee and the brain’s amyloid load, which is one of the biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s.
Caffeine and the brain. In recent years, research on caffeine’s effects has shifted focus to the brain. Some findings are striking–both positively and negatively–while others reveal a more nuanced perspective. For instance, a specific study on decision-making in soccer showed that participants who consumed caffeine were more accurate in executing both short and long passes. However, they were also more erratic when tasked with making quick, impulsive decisions.
Previous studies have shown varying results regarding the effects of caffeine, indicating that while caffeine intake may increase anxiety levels, it could also offer some protection against Alzheimer’s disease. A 2023 study revealed an inverse relationship between coffee consumption and the accumulation of tau proteins, which are associated with the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. This same inverse relationship was also observed concerning amyloid load.
The study. Although the scientific community is getting closer to understanding the genetic origins of Alzheimer’s, it remains a devastating disease for which many answers are still elusive. As mentioned earlier, a group of researchers recently published their findings in the Alzheimer’s Association journal. Their study was based on earlier research that evaluated 263 participants over the age of 70 who had mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s from 2010 to 2015.
At the time of the original study, volunteers reported their caffeine consumption habits, which included intake from coffee and other sources. In the new study, participants were divided into two groups. On one hand, there were “minor consumers,” who averaged just over 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. On the other hand, there were “major consumers,” who consumed more than that amount. Researchers also collected data from MRI scans, blood samples, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples.
They then compiled and analyzed this data. Here’s what they found.
Coffee and Alzheimer’s. The conclusion of the analysis was that individuals with lower caffeine intake had markers indicating a higher risk of mild cognitive impairment, including memory issues. Specifically, the low caffeine intake group was nearly 2.5 times more likely to receive an Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
The study found a significant connection between lower caffeine consumption and decreased levels of beta-amyloid Aβ42 protein in CSF and a reduced Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio. This suggests a higher brain amyloid load, known to be a biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease. In contrast, participants who ingested more caffeine exhibited a lower brain amyloid load.
Further research is needed. While the study’s results are interesting and likely to inspire additional research, there are two important points to consider. First, long-term caffeine consumption wasn’t measured, which is crucial for understanding how past consumption might influence current and future effects. Second, despite the large sample size and the many factors evaluated, the study is observational, meaning causality can’t be established.
Researchers acknowledge the need for long-term studies. They even noted that the results have motivated them to create a clinical trial aimed at more precisely measuring the impact of caffeine on the cognitive functions of individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. The next study is currently in the recruitment phase, and its objective will be to analyze the relationship between caffeine consumption and relevant biomarkers, such as tau and amyloid proteins.
Ultimately, the findings from the observational study have laid the groundwork for new, more concrete research, which hopefully will yield valuable information both about Alzheimer’s disease and the relationship between coffee and the human brain.
Image | Olga Bogdanova | Sergi Dolcet Escrig
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