A new study discovered that drinking more caffeine was associated with a lower risk of memory loss from dementia or Alzheimer’s. However, further study is needed to confirm that drinking more coffee can prevent cognitive deterioration.
A recent study discovered that the amount of caffeine a person consumes may impact their likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia.
The study published in August in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association is the first to discover a significant correlation between caffeine use and dementia risk [1].
Alzheimer’s is a neurological condition that worsens over time and has a significant impact on behavior, thought, and memory. Although it can occasionally occur in younger people, it is the most common cause of dementia, especially in older individuals.
Twisted tau protein fibers, known as tau tangles, and aberrant clusters of protein fragments, known as amyloid-beta plaques, are hallmarks of Alzheimer’s. These proteins cause memory loss and cognitive decline by interfering with brain cell communication, leading to cell death.
David Blum and his colleagues aimed to investigate the connection between frequent caffeine consumption and biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s in the cerebrospinal fluid (which surrounds the brain and spinal cord). These biomarkers, which help identify and track the development of Alzheimer’s, include tau and amyloid-beta proteins.
The researchers also investigated variations in coffee intake between those with moderate cognitive impairment, a condition that frequently precedes Alzheimer’s, and those who had already been diagnosed with the condition.
The Connection Between Caffeine Consumption and Dementia
The study was part of the BALTAZAR cohort, an extensive and ongoing research effort that focuses on people with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s. The researchers examined 263 people: 147 with mild cognitive decline and 116 with Alzheimer’s.
Participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) were further divided into two subtypes:
(i) Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), in which memory loss is the primary problem.
(ii) Non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment (naMCI), in which other cognitive processes are mainly impacted.
Study participants completed a comprehensive survey regarding the caffeine-containing products they use daily, such as tea, coffee, chocolate, and sodas. This survey evaluated each participant’s daily caffeine consumption, which the researchers measured in milligrams. In addition to the caffeine survey, individuals gave blood and cerebral fluid samples.
Researchers measured key indicators of Alzheimer’s, such as total tau (tau), phosphorylated tau (p-tau181), amyloid-beta 1-42 (Aβ1-42), and amyloid-beta 1-40 (Aβ1-40), in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Increased tau and p-tau181 levels imply brain cell damage and neurofibrillary tangles, both of which are associated with Alzheimer’s. However, accumulation of amyloid plaques, another sign of disease progression, is linked to lower levels of Aβ42, especially when compared to Aβ40.
The team placed those who consumed less than 216 milligrams of caffeine per day in a “low caffeine” group, while those who consumed more than this in a “high caffeine” group. After that, the researchers contrasted these two groups’ biomarker levels and the cognitive condition.
The Findings
After adjusting for age, sex, smoking status, and other variables, the researchers discovered that those who consumed less caffeine were more likely to experience amnesia. This suggests that they had problems with memory loss in particular, as opposed to other non-amnestic cognitive impairments, in which someone may struggle to make sound decisions or judge how to finish a task.
Specifically, participants who consumed less caffeine had a 2.49 times higher risk of being diagnosed with amnestic moderate cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s than those who consumed more caffeine. This implies that caffeine may have a protective effect on memory, especially in those who are at risk for or have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
When the researchers focused on persons with mild cognitive impairment, they discovered that those who consumed less caffeine had a 2.72 times greater chance of being classified as amnestic rather than non-amnestic. According to this research, caffeine use may be especially crucial for memory-related problems.
Additionally, the researchers discovered a fascinating correlation between caffeine intake and amyloid protein levels in participants’ cerebrospinal fluid samples. Individuals who consumed less caffeine exhibited lower plasma amyloid-β 42 (Aβ42) levels and aberrant ratios of other amyloid proteins.
Lower levels and ratios of Aβ42 in CSF are linked to increased amyloid plaque development in the brain[2]. According to the findings, consuming less caffeine may be related to a higher amyloid burden, which may lead to a faster disease progression.
Can Increasing Your Caffeine Intake Reduce Your Risk of Alzheimer’s and Dementia?
It is too soon to recommend that people increase their caffeine intake as a preventative measure against dementia or Alzheimer’s.
The study provides insight into the relationship between coffee intake and Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. However, the study’s methodology precludes drawing cause-and-effect conclusions from the data. While caffeine may offer some protection against Alzheimer’s symptoms, it is also possible that people with better cognitive health just drink more caffeinated beverages because they can better take care of themselves.
The Food and Drug Administration cautions avoiding drinking more than 400 mg of caffeine per day—equivalent to two to three 12-ounce cups of coffee. Serious health risks such as high blood pressure, palpitations, elevated heart rate, anxiety, digestive problems, dehydration, and sleep disorders can result from consuming excessive amounts of caffeine [3].
Unfortunately, scientists don’t know much about how to prevent Alzheimer’s other than maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, focus on a healthy lifestyle, including eating a balanced diet, remaining physically active, and maintaining social ties to support brain health as you age.
Alzheimer’s Research Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping caregivers of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. We provide the latest information and news about the illness and helpful tips to help caregivers cope with their daily caregiving challenges. We realize the most important thing that a caregiver needs is financial assistance. Therefore, we provide grants to caregivers to ease their financial burden. Caregivers can apply for grants here: https://www.alzra.org/grant-applications/.
You can also help caregivers in their endeavor by donating as much as possible: https://www.alzra.org/donate-now/.
References
- Blum, D., Cailliau, E., Béhal, H., Vidal, J.S., Delaby, C., Buée, L., Allinquant, B., Gabelle, A., Bombois, S., Lehmann, S. and Schraen‐Maschke, S., 2024. Association of caffeine consumption with cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease: A BALTAZAR cohort study. Alzheimer’s & Dementia, 20(10), pp.6948-6959.
- Sturchio, A., Dwivedi, A.K., Young, C.B., Malm, T., Marsili, L., Sharma, J.S., Mahajan, A., Hill, E.J., Andaloussi, S.E., Poston, K.L. and Manfredsson, F.P., 2021. High cerebrospinal amyloid-β 42 is associated with normal cognition in individuals with brain amyloidosis. EClinicalMedicine, 38.
- Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine is Too Much? U.S. Food & Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much. Accessed: 30th October, 2024.
- Study Finds Link Between Higher Caffeine Consumption and Lower Risk of Memory Loss. Health. https://www.health.com/study-caffeine-consumption-alzheimers-dementia-8731880. Published Online: 25th October, 2024. Accessed: 30th October, 2024.
- Caffeine might have a protective role against Alzheimer’s disease. PsyPost. https://www.psypost.org/caffeine-might-have-a-protective-role-against-alzheimers-disease/. Published Online: 9th October, 2024. Accessed: 30th October, 2024.
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