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Research Finds This Amount Of Coffee Can Adversely Affect Brain Health
MindBodyGreen ^ | 01/06/2025 | Sarah Regan

Posted on 01/06/2025 8:04:04 AM PST by SeekAndFind

For many of us, that morning cup of coffee feels essential to getting the day started. And while some research has shown moderate coffee intake can be beneficial, how much is too much?

That's what researchers from Australia wanted to know, and they published their findings in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience.

Studying how high doses of coffee affect the brain

Researchers from the University of South Australia wanted to know how coffee affects the brain (specifically, brain volume, and the risk of dementia and stroke). They studied the effects of coffee on nearly 18,000 people between the ages of 37 and 73, making this the largest study of its kind.

Based on their findings, it seems coffee in excess doesn't reap the same brain benefits as coffee in moderation. Those who drank more than six cups of coffee per day had a 53% increased risk of dementia, as well as smaller brain volume.

As study co-author and Ph.D. candidate Kitty Pham explains in a news release , "We consistently found that higher coffee consumption was significantly associated with reduced brain volume—essentially, drinking more than six cups of coffee a day may be putting you at risk of brain diseases such as dementia and stroke."

As professor and study co-author Elina Hyppönen, Ph.D., MPH, MSc, notes in the release, the exact mechanisms behind why excess coffee consumption can have negative effects aren't fully understood. However, she says, "One simple thing we can do is to keep hydrated and remember to drink a bit of water alongside that cup of coffee."

Don't ditch the coffee just yet

Don't fret, coffee lovers! This research only linked the adverse effects on the brain to excessive coffee intake (over six cups per day). Moderate caffeine intake, on the other hand, has actually been positively associated with brain health.

According to one 2010 study, drinking three to five cups of coffee per day while middle-aged was associated with a decreased risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease by about 65% later in life.

On top of that, coffee is a good source of antioxidant polyphenols and trigonelline, which support cognitive functioning and may lower the risk of memory loss, nutritional psychiatrist Uma Naidoo, M.D., previously explained to mbg.

Additional research also suggests coffee has beneficial impacts on brain health , fatty liver, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome.

The takeaway

"Everything in moderation" is the key takeaway here. You don't have to give up your morning brew, but if you're reaching for your seventh cup of the day, you might want to pump the brakes and find energy elsewhere: Take a cat nap, fit in a quick workout, and consider how you can get better sleep at night and wake up more refreshed.


TOPICS: Food; Health/Medicine; Science; Society
KEYWORDS: alzheimers; brain; coffee
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To: PIF

“for 30 years”

Did you develop dementia?


61 posted on 01/06/2025 10:19:11 AM PST by Magic Fingers (Political correctness mutates in order to remain virulent.)
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To: odawg; SaveFerris; Larry Lucido

62 posted on 01/06/2025 10:22:59 AM PST by gundog (It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. the )
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To: Magic Fingers

Did you develop dementia?


what? who are you and what do you want - is my coffee ready yet? what?


63 posted on 01/06/2025 10:24:59 AM PST by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now its your turn)
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To: SkyDancer

German/Norwegian from North Dakota here. A minimum of four cups in the early morning. Two or three later in the morning. That is considered light in my home state.

According to Tucker Carlson, Voltaire drank 40 cups a day.
I am not sure what the size of those cups were.


64 posted on 01/06/2025 10:58:57 AM PST by Maine Mariner
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To: SeekAndFind

I’ve been drinking over 6 cups a day for over 45 years, no wonder I


65 posted on 01/06/2025 11:08:56 AM PST by Fireone (1.Avoid crowds 2.Head on a swivel 3.Be prepared to protect & defend those around you 4.Avoid crowds)
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To: Fireone

“I’ve been drinking over 6 cups a day for over 45 years, no wonder I”

That would have been a relatively light day for my mother, who lived to 97 and only had senile dementia the last 2-3 years of her life.


66 posted on 01/06/2025 11:55:59 AM PST by Magic Fingers (Political correctness mutates in order to remain virulent.)
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To: SeekAndFind
Those who drank more than six cups of coffee per day had a 53% increased risk of dementia, as well as smaller brain volume.

Faulty findings unless body volume is taken into account, while the reason why one drinks so much coffee may itself be related to the increase likelihood of dementia.

67 posted on 01/06/2025 1:08:42 PM PST by daniel1212 (Turn 2 the Lord Jesus who saves damned+destitute sinners on His acct, believe, b baptized+follow HIM)
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To: Magic Fingers

We should all be as lucky as your dear mother! My father made it to 97, with a good mind. We both loved our coffee.


68 posted on 01/06/2025 1:09:24 PM PST by Fireone (1.Avoid crowds 2.Head on a swivel 3.Be prepared to protect & defend those around you 4.Avoid crowds)
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To: SeekAndFind

Hmmm...
My wife (86) and I (91) each drink at least 6 cups of coffee a day...
Of course, our annual visits to our cardiologist always lead to a scolding from him...


69 posted on 01/06/2025 2:32:10 PM PST by SuperLuminal
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To: SeekAndFind

Fake News!
Conspiracy Theory!
Hate speech!
Disinformation!
Lies Lies Lies!


70 posted on 01/06/2025 4:27:25 PM PST by norsky (<P><h3> <P><img src=" "width=500"<P><h3> <P> <a href= > </a> )
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To: SeekAndFind

As my wife is fond of saying, “ Coffee, tea, or me?”

I rarely choose coffee.


71 posted on 01/06/2025 7:00:00 PM PST by Candor7 (Ask not for whom the Trump Trolls,He trolls for thee!),<img src="" width=500</img><a href="">tag</a>)
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To: Fireone

“We should all be as lucky as your dear mother! My father made it to 97, with a good mind.”

Or your father! Coffee was almost a religious commitment for my mother, and I’m maintaining the family tradition...although I’m extremely doubtful I’ll come anywhere close to her longevity. Of course, she was a lot easier on her body than I’ve been on mine lol.


72 posted on 01/07/2025 9:22:31 AM PST by Magic Fingers (Political correctness mutates in order to remain virulent.)
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