Excess coffee: A bitter brew for brain health
University of South Australia
In the largest
study of its kind, researchers have found that high coffee consumption is
associated with smaller total brain volumes and an increased risk of dementia.
Conducted at
UniSA's Australian Centre for Precision Health at SAHMRI and a team of international
researchers*, the study assessed the effects of coffee on the brain among
17,702 UK Biobank participants (aged 37-73), finding that those who drank more
than six cups of coffee a day had a 53 per cent increased risk of dementia.
Lead researcher and UniSA PhD candidate, Kitty Pham, says the research delivers important insights for public health.
"Coffee is
among the most popular drinks in the world. Yet with global consumption being
more than nine billion kilograms a year, it's critical that we understand any
potential health implications," Pham says.
"This is
the most extensive investigation into the connections between coffee, brain
volume measurements, the risks of dementia, and the risks of stroke -- it's
also the largest study to consider volumetric brain imaging data and a wide
range of confounding factors.
"Accounting
for all possible permutations, 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."
Dementia is a
degenerative brain condition that affects memory, thinking, behavior and the
ability to perform everyday tasks. About 50 million people are diagnosed with
the syndrome worldwide. In Australia, dementia is the second leading cause of
death, with an estimated 250 people diagnosed each day.
Stroke is a
condition where the blood supply to the brain is disrupted, resulting in oxygen
starvation, brain damage and loss of function. Globally, one in four adults
over the age of 25 will have a stroke in their lifetime. Data suggests that
13.7 million people will have a stroke this year with 5.5 million dying as a
result.
Senior
investigator and Director of UniSA's Australian Centre for Precision Health,
Professor Elina Hyppönen, says while the news may be a bitter brew for coffee
lovers, it's all about finding a balance between what you drink and what's good
for your health.
"This
research provides vital insights about heavy coffee consumption and brain
health, but as with many things in life, moderation is the key," Prof
Hyppönen says.
"Together
with other genetic evidence and a randomized controlled trial, these data
strongly suggest that high coffee consumption can adversely affect brain
health. While the exact mechanisms are not known, one simple thing we can do is
to keep hydrated and remember to drink a bit of water alongside that cup of
coffee.
"Typical
daily coffee consumption is somewhere between one and two standard cups of
coffee. Of course, while unit measures can vary, a couple of cups of coffee a
day is generally fine.
"However, if you're finding that your coffee consumption is heading up toward more than six cups a day, it's about time you rethink your next drink."
