Coffee: The Wonder Drug that Benefits Memory and Prevents Alzheimers

Or is the So-Called Benefit of Our Beloved Coffee Really Just a Pipe Dream

In this recent four-year study period, women over the age of 65 who drank more than three cups of coffee per day did not have the same degree of cognitive decline as the study group of over age 65 women who did not drink three cups per day.

This study focused primarily on women, who usually live longer than men and are more like to develop Alzheimer's Disease. Mild cognitive impairment is a state in- between normal brain functioning and Alzheimer's Disease. When mild cognitive impairment is present, there is at least a 40% chance that Alzheimer's will follow within four years. Since there are approximately 60% who do not go on to develop Alzheimer's Disease, it is believed that there may be a short period of time when it is possible to slow down or stop the mental deterioration

All women in the study who drank three or more cups of coffee per day showed less of a decline in memory and cognitive functions. And in women over 80 years of age who drank more than three cups per day, the study showed that their cognitive decline was as much as 70% less than those who drank one or less cups per day. The benefit of drinking more than 3 cups of coffee per day is a benefit that is only seen when the behavior has been followed for many years.

The article goes on to say that there have been other studies that have shown that caffeine can act as a shield to certain memory forming neurons and keep them from the accumulation of toxic amyloid deposits that cause destruction of the neurons.