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Coffee has been long debated in terms of its effects on the human body. While some experts have associated it with various conditions such as increased blood pressure, gout attacks, insomnia, indigestion, depression or even cognitive impairment, others have seen the bright side and pointed out its benefits.
It is known to give you energy, it can help you lose fat and studies have shown that it may lower the risk of getting Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.
A new study looks at the relationship between coffee and brain health for elderly people. According to these researchers coffee might have positive effects on our brain.
The researchers from the University of Bari Aldo Moro, Italy, have conducted a survey with about 1,400 Italians, whose ages varied from 65 to 84. They were monitored for about 3 years.
It was proved that those who drank about two cups of coffee every day had a lower risk of suffering from mild cognitive impairment than those who didn’t drink coffee at all.
Nevertheless, the people who drank more than that, faced the risk of developing mild dementia.
Even if the study, which was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, does not aim to prove the causes for these results, the researchers believe that some compounds present in the coffee might protect the neurons from the plaques that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
However, the researchers believe that more research needs to be carried out in the field to determine how the consumption of coffee can influence cognitive functions.
“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,” they said.
A moderate amount of coffee consumed daily can aid an aging brain by enhancing insulin sensitivity. This lowers the chances of developing diabetes type 2. In turn, diabetes has been associated with cognitive impairment in later stages of the disease.
Coffee is probably the world’s favorite drink and it should not be expected from consumers to give up the things they love. Nevertheless, they should know they are allowed to enjoy it as long as they don’t exceed the recommended intake. This means that moderation is the key to a good lifestyle, no matter how healthy or unhealthy a product might be considered.
Image Source: yourgrindredefined
