Coffee And The Brain: Two Cups A Day Reduces Risk Of Mild Cognitive Impairment

The health news on coffee seems to vary daily; one day it's good for you, the next, it may not be.

Yet new findings published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease reveal that coffee could be beneficial for cognitive health, particularly among older individuals.

Researchers at the University of Bari Aldo Moro in Italy conducted a survey of about 1,400 elderly Italians between the ages of 65 and 84 over the course of three years. Findings revealed that those who drank about two cups of coffee a day were less likely to develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI) than those who abstained from drinking coffee.

However, it's important to keep everything in moderation. On the flip side, researchers found that those who drank too much coffee increased their risk for onset of mild cognitive degeneration. 

"Older individuals who never or rarely consumed coffee and those who increased their coffee consumption habits had a higher risk of developing MCI," the researchers concluded, in a news release.

Due to compounds in coffee that help protect neurons from plaques linked with the neurodegenerative illness, researchers believe this may explain some of the benefits.

Previous studies have also shown that coffee, in moderation of course, can help boost fat burning, lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, improve liver function and even decrease the risk of overall mortality. Did we also mention that it's chock full of nutrients and antioxidants?

However, there are some drawbacks to drinking coffee, especially if you're a caffeine addict. It can increase catecholamines, otherwise known as your stress hormones. Furthermore, some studies have suggested that coffee may not be good to drink during pregnancy.

Talk with your doctor about what's right for you.

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