Can’t start your day without a cup of java? That may be a good thing, say Harvard researchers. According to their study, which was recently published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, drinking 2 to 3 cups of coffee or 1 to 2 cups of tea daily can significantly lower a person’s risk of dementia.
Tell me more!
This study followed nearly 132,000 individuals for up to 43 years. That’s a lot of people over a long time! The researchers examined each person’s caffeine intake as it related to coffee and tea and found that those who drank more caffeine (2 to 3 cups of coffee or 1 to 2 cups of tea) daily were less likely to develop dementia. These highly caffeinated individuals also scored better on cognitive performance tests. Those who drank decaf coffee or tea didn’t notice the same benefits.
What does this all mean?
In short, the more caffeine the better when it comes to boosting your brain power and staving off memory loss and cognitive impairment. According to the researchers, 300 mg of caffeine is the magic number to strive for – if you like coffee or tea, that is. While grabbing a cuppa won’t prevent a complex condition such as dementia, this study finds that it can’t hurt to add another mug of steaming joe to your morning routine.
Skip the sugar
If you’re one to pour a heaping spoonful of sugar into your morning beverage, think about skipping it in future. A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition linked drinks sweetened with sugar with a higher risk of cognitive decline. So that sweet add may counteract the benefits found in your caffeinated drink.