Coffee has gone from health hazard to health hero. In the latest study, older people with mild cognitive impairment had blood caffeine levels measured. The researchers tracked them for two to four years and found that those with at least 1200 nanograms/milliliter of caffeine in their blood stream did not progress to Alzheimer’s disease. To achieve this level of caffeine, someone would drink about three cups of coffee. The volunteers who did develop Alzheimer’s had lower levels of caffeine in their bodies. The investigators believe that moderate caffeinated coffee consumption might reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease or delay its onset.
[Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, online June 5, 2012]
The People's Perspective on Medicine