Three cups of coffee a day can prevent Alzheimer's disease in the elderly

CBS News: is coffee a panacea for all chronic diseases? Previous studies have found that drinking coffee can prevent Parkinson's disease, stroke, diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.

Now, a new study shows that drinking three cups of coffee a day may prevent Alzheimer's disease in older people with memory loss.

The study, based on 124 65-to 88-year-olds with mild cognitive impairment, found that caffeine and coffee intake were associated with reduced or delayed Alzheimer's disease.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) generally occurs in the elderly. The main symptom is memory loss at a faster-than-normal rate of aging. Although they are still able to perform daily activities, they accelerate to develop Alzheimer's disease within a few years.

During a 2-to 4-year follow-up study, the researchers measured caffeine levels in the blood of participants and found that: compared with those who had mild cognitive impairment but remained stable but did not convert to Alzheimer's disease, people with mild cognitive impairment and progression to Alzheimer's disease had 51% lower levels of caffeine in their blood. The findings were published in the June 5 issue of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (Journal of Alzheimer'). S Disease).

The researchers found that the "critical level" of caffeine needed to have a protective effect-1200 nanograms per liter-is about the same as drinking a few cups of coffee a few hours before taking a blood sample. People with Alzheimer's disease in the study did not have this "critical level" of caffeine in their blood, while other people with MCI but did not convert to dementia had much higher blood caffeine levels.

University of South Florida Health Byrd Alzheimer's Institute (University of South Florida Health Byrd Alzheimer') Dr. Dr. Chuanhai Cao, a neuroscientist at s Institute and author of the study, said in a written statement: "these interesting findings show that older people with mild memory impairment who drink a moderate amount of coffee a day-about three cups of coffee a day-do not develop Alzheimer's disease, or at least significantly delay the conversion to Alzheimer's syndrome." "the results of this study are highly consistent with previous studies on Alzheimer's mice, suggesting that moderate daily caffeine / coffee intake in old age can help protect the elderly from Alzheimer's disease."

"We are not saying that moderate coffee consumption will completely protect people from Alzheimer's disease," Dr. Cao said cautiously. "however, we firmly believe that moderate coffee consumption can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease. or delay the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease."

A recent study of 400000 people found that men who drank two to three cups of coffee a day had a 10% lower mortality rate than non-coffee drinkers, and women had about 13% lower deaths from heart disease, respiratory disease, stroke, diabetes, injuries, accidents or infections.

[interactive encyclopedia] Alzheimer's disease (Alzheimer's disease) is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system, which is characterized by progressive cognitive impairment and memory impairment. Patients initially develop a decline in memory and thinking ability, and soon become difficult to identify directions, language difficulties, unable to identify relatives, and finally lose the ability to take care of themselves, bringing a heavy burden on families and society. Alzheimer's disease often occurs in middle age or early old age, named after the German doctor Alois Alzheimer who first described it.