Coffee and Dementia: A Complex Relationship

The relationship between coffee consumption and dementia continues to be a subject of intense research. New studies presented at the 2024 Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) have added further complexity to the picture.

One study found that consuming two or more cups of coffee daily was linked to a 28% lower risk of dementia over seven years. Another study indicated moderate tea drinking (up to two cups a day) was associated with a lower dementia risk.

While previous research has suggested a protective effect of coffee consumption on cognitive decline, the latest findings are more nuanced. One study linked moderate coffee intake (two to four cups per day) to a reduced risk of dementia, aligning with previous research. However, another study found that consuming six or more cups of boiled coffee daily was associated with an increased risk of dementia.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s or dementia and the consequences of long-term care impact American families and finances.

These findings suggest that moderate coffee and tea consumption could benefit cognitive health. However, it's important to note that these findings are observational and do not definitively prove causation. Other factors like lifestyle, genetics, and overall health may influence the relationship between coffee consumption and dementia risk.

Caffeine a Concern?

While coffee and tea consumption might reduce dementia risk, some researchers point to caffeine being a question about dementia risk. Some research has indicated that long-term caffeine intake could exacerbate symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. You might be wondering: Does caffeine protect your brain or harm it?

The answer isn't straightforward. Whether caffeine's cognitive benefits outweigh its risks depends on several factors, including your consumption amount, how you consume it, and how your body metabolizes it, according to Dr. Donald D. Hensrud, an associate professor of nutrition and preventive medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine.

Caffeine travels from the mouth through the stomach and intestines to the bloodstream and brain in about an hour. Once there, it triggers various effects throughout the body.

These effects include:

• Increased production of stomach acid.
• Contraction of the muscular walls of the colon, which can prompt the urge to defecate.
• Constriction of blood vessels.
• Increased urine production.

"It's hard to look at just one aspect of diet and connect it to a health condition because so many other factors could play a role," says Dr. Hensrud.

For instance, heavy coffee drinkers often also use tobacco and lead sedentary lifestyles, both of which can increase dementia risk.

Additionally, the dose makes the poison. According to Dr. Hensrud, caffeine likely protects the brain when consumed in moderation but can be harmful when consumed in excess.

The link between caffeine and dementia is still under investigation, and more research is needed to establish a definitive connection.

No Need to Change Habits - Yet

Enjoying more or less of your favorite coffee or tea drink is not yet necessary. These findings, while thought-provoking, underscore the necessity for more in-depth research to unravel the intricate relationship between coffee, caffeine, and cognitive health. While these results are intriguing, they highlight the need for further research. Changing habits based on current research is certainly not necessary at this point.

Researchers are also delving into the potential impact of coffee on different populations, including age, gender, and genetic factors. This comprehensive approach hopes to provide a better understanding of the relationship between coffee consumption and dementia.

Dementia and Aging - Impacting Families and Finances

Understanding the factors influencing cognitive decline is crucial as the global population ages. The aging population and growing number of people with dementia requiring long-term care services are significantly impacting families and finances.

In the United States, health insurance and Medicare will not pay for most dementia care since they will only pay for short-term skilled services. Although Long-Term Care Insurance will pay for long-term care services, including memory care, you cannot purchase a policy if you already have dementia. As a result, those who purchase LTC Insurance usually do so when they are younger and have reasonably good health.

If someone does not have an LTC policy, they will either use personal income and assets to pay for care or rely on loved ones to become caregivers. Neither situation is desirable, but without planning, there is little choice.

Individuals with limited financial resources can seek Medicaid benefits, but care is limited to Medicaid-approved providers.

The cost of long-term care services is rapidly increasing, and memory care tends to cost more than other long-term care services. Many assisted living facilities offer memory care but add additional surcharges on top of standard charges.

In addition, the cost of long-term care services varies depending on where you live. For example, the cost of memory care services in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is more expensive compared to the cost of memory care in Rapid City, South Dakota.

You can find the cost of all levels of long-term care services where you live by using the LTC NEWS Cost of Care Calculator. Finding quality memory care services can also be challenging for family members. The LTC NEWS Caregiver Directory allows you to search for caregivers and facilities where your loved one lives.

While these studies provide valuable insights and reinforce the need to plan for the future costs and burdens of aging, more research is needed to develop clear guidelines for coffee consumption and dementia prevention.

If you are looking for quality long-term care services for a loved one with dementia or other need for extended care, be sure to use the free LTC NEWS Caregiver Directory. With just a few clicks, you can search a database of over 80,000 caregivers, home health agencies, senior communities, and long-term care facilities.