New research shows that coffee can reduce depression in women

Women who drink coffee every day are less likely to develop depression than those who don't, according to a new study.

The researchers followed more than 50,000 women over a 10-year period and found that women who drank at least four cups of coffee a day had a 20 per cent lower risk of depression and 15 per cent less than those who drank two or three cups a day.

None of the 50739 women had symptoms of depression at the beginning of the study, but at the end of the study, a total of 2607 developed depression.

Alberto Ashlio, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health who led the study, said caffeine promotes the release of certain neurotransmitters, such as dopamine. these substances can help regulate mood and reduce depression. But these are short-term. "it is not clear why long-term caffeine intake can also reduce depression." Ashlio said.

Researchers have tracked the effects of coffee on heart health, inflammation and even cancer in the past, but rarely linked it to emotional management.

USA Today reported on the same day that although it is too early to say that coffee is an effective means of fighting depression, Cargill, an associate professor at the Health Science Center of Texas Agricultural Machinery University, said that at least the findings of the study could allay concerns about the possible side effects of caffeine. "excessive caffeine consumption has long been considered to be one of the factors leading to anxiety and other mental illnesses, and it was once thought that caffeine intake should be limited."