Coffee Consumption May Save You From Alzheimer's, Parkinson's

If you are someone who drinks 3 to 5 cups of coffee a day, then you may be in for a treat. According to a new research, a moderate intake of coffee can give protection against age-related cognitive decline and other neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

The causes of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases have yet to be discovered, and scientists are still on the look-out for factors that may prevent or lower one's risk of developing any of the two disorders. There have already been a number of studies conducted to determine factors that can lower or eliminate risk for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Many have tried. Unfortunately, only a few who were successful to reach a certain point in their research that have made them a step closer to finding facts.

According to Times of India, researchers from the University of Coimbra (CNC) in Portugal claimed that regular, long-term coffee drinking may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease by up to 27 percent. They also pointed out that the greatest protection against cognitive decline can be seen at an intake of nearly 3-5 cups of coffee per day.

"Moderate coffee consumption could play a significant role in reducing cognitive decline which would impact health outcomes and healthcare spending," said Professor Rodrigo A. Cunha at the university.

Researchers said that caffeine, anti-inflammatory agents as well as antioxidants such as caffeic acid, a polyphenol (antioxidant) found in coffee, may be associated with the improved cognitive function, reported Hindustan Times.

Meanwhile, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in its scientific opinion on the safety of caffeine explained that daily consumption of up to 400 mg of caffeine, which is equivalent to up to 5 cups of coffee a day, from all sources do not increase any concern among healthy adults.

The research was presented at ISIC's symposium held during the European Union Geriatric Medicine Society's 2016 Congress in Lisbon.