Caffeine consumption could reduce dementia risk in older women - dementia day centres

Dementia is a debilitating disease with symptoms that can be especially hard to manage and dementia day centres across Australia constantly struggle with the growing number of diagnoses. New research into caffeine consumption and dementia has shown promising results, however, with the potential to decrease the number of diagnoses made in future.

Recent research has surfaced displaying a strong relationship between dementia prevention and caffeine consumption. It does, however, sadly fall short of demonstrating cause and effect, a key segment in the battle for a dementia cure.

Published within the Journals of Gerontology, the study found that an increased level of caffeine consumption by older women (aged 65 and over) significantly decreased the chances of them developing dementia later or cognitive impairment later in life.

From the sample of women aged 65 and over within the study, self-reported consumption of over 261 milligrams of caffeine each day correlated to a 36% decrease in the risk of dementia after a follow-up 10 years later on.

That amount of caffeine is the same as 3 cups of coffee, 6 cups of black tea or 7 cups of cola. Considering the statistical reduction in the chance of developing dementia, it’s far from excessive.

Lead author of the study and Professor of Psychology at University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee Ira Driscoll commented on the findings:

"While we can’t make a direct link between higher caffeine consumption and lower incidence of cognitive impairment and dementia, with further study we can better quantify its relationship with cognitive health outcomes."

"The mounting evidence of caffeine consumption as a potentially protective factor against cognitive impairment is exciting given that caffeine is also an easily modifiable dietary factor with few risk factors", Driscoll added.

The sheer length of time that the researchers were provided with gave them a study environment that was second-to-none. A 10 year period was a significant length from which reliable results could be produced. They were also afforded the opportunity to scale the investigation based on the level of caffeine consumed by each individual.

Funded by donations from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Driscoll and her team of specialists examined 6,467 postmenopausal women who admitted to at least moderate levels of caffeine consumption.

Average intake over time was estimated based on a questionnaire surveying the levels of tea, cola, and coffee that were drunk over a set period. These questions also accounted for serving size and frequency of consumption.

Within 10 years of the study, 388 of these women were diagnosed with some form of dementia or overall cognitive impairment. Those whose caffeine intake was in excess of the average amount, however, were diagnosed with dementia at a significantly lower rate.

The research was adjusted carefully to account for factors such as any ongoing hormone therapy the sample may have been undergoing, age, education, race, and body mass index. Other factors also accounted for included hypertension, depression, prior episodes of cardiovascular disease and cigarette and alcohol use.

If you have a friend or loved one who suffers from dementia, get in touch with Dementia Caring today. Our team of specialists operate dementia day centre facilities focused on providing the highest quality of care.