A study spanning up to 43 years has found that drinking two to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily is associated with a dramatically lower risk of dementia and better cognitive functioning in later life. The research, which tracked participants over decades, suggests the link held regardless of a person’s genetic predisposition to dementia. Notably, decaffeinated coffee did not show the same association, indicating that caffeine or other compounds present in regular coffee may play a role in the observed benefits.
The findings add to a growing body of evidence examining coffee’s potential effects on brain health, though researchers caution that the observational nature of the study means it cannot establish causation. Scientists not involved in the work noted that factors such as lifestyle, diet and socioeconomic status could influence both coffee consumption and cognitive outcomes. The study authors called for further research, including clinical trials, to confirm the mechanisms behind the association and to determine whether coffee intake could serve as a practical intervention for reducing dementia risk.
Independent reporting synthesized from primary wires and global correspondents.