Long-term caffeine consumption and delay of Alzheimer's disease

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Coffee: good or bad? Studies on the effects of caffeine have pointed every which way. But evidence is growing that caffeine may reduce certain disease risks in middle-aged and older adults. And at the least, drinking two cups of coffee per day has not been shown to be harmful for most people.

Animal studies have yielded compelling evidence of caffeine's benefits. Now human studies suggest that caffeine may help significantly to prevent or slow the progression of heart disease, oral cancers, Parkinson's disease and dementia. More studies are still needed to confirm the findings, though. Coffee is often used to study the effects of caffeine because it is the most common source of it. Caffeine can be found in tea, some soft drinks, chocolate and even prescription and over-the-counter medications. The most promising data show a strong link between drinking caffeinated coffee and prevention of these diseases:

Heart disease

Researchers followed 1,354 people over age 65 with normal or only slightly high blood pressure. After 10 years, those who drank at least one cup of caffeinated coffee per day had a 43 percent lower risk of dying from coronary heart disease than those who didn't drink coffee. Coffee drinkers also had fewer heart valve problems. Those in the study who drank decaffeinated coffee did not have the same lower incidence of heart disease. So, researchers concluded that caffeine had the protective effect.

Alzheimer's disease and dementia

Various studies have linked long-term caffeine consumption to a 30 percent to 64 percent reduction or delay of Alzheimer's disease. Most recently, a Finnish study followed 1,409 middle-aged people for 21 years. Those who drank three to five cups of caffeinated coffee daily were: 65 to 70 percent less likely to have dementia than those who drank little or no coffee/62 to 64 percent less likely to have Alzheimer's disease than those who drank little or no coffee. In this study, caffeinated tea did not seem to yield the same benefits. This may be because there is less caffeine in tea or because the benefit is from something else in the coffee other than caffeine. Another theory is that coffee drinkers also have a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, which is linked to a higher risk of dementia. Experts are cautious about these results, though. It is hard to measure exactly how much caffeine was consumed, and also hard to diagnose Alzheimer's in many cases.

Cancers of the mouth and throat

A study of 38,000 people (ages 40 to 64) with no history of cancer found that coffee significantly reduced their risk of several oral cancers. People who drank a cup or more a day of caffeinated coffee over 13 years were half as likely to develop cancers of the mouth, pharynx or esophagus. Even smokers and heavy alcohol drinkers - who have a higher risk for oral cancer - cut their risks with caffeine. Researchers noted, though, that giving up smoking and alcohol excess are still the best ways to lower the risk of getting oral cancers.

Before you get perking

No one is saying that we should all start chugging coffee to ward off disease. More and larger studies are needed to verify all these benefits. Every cuppa joe is rich in antioxidants and other chemicals, too. So it is possible that some of the observed benefits are not from the caffeine. Also, talk to your doctor about how much coffee may or may not be good for you. Caffeine is not advised for people who take certain medications, are pregnant or have conditions such as heart arrhythmia. Moderation is always the rule, too. Too much caffeine can cause anxiety, jitters, insomnia, headaches and stomach upset. ...http://www.newschannel5.com

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