Saturday, January 17, 2009

Good news for coffee drinkers

Not only are we happier, but we're less likely to develop dementia.
    "Midlife Coffee and Tea Drinking and the Risk of Late-Life Dementia: A Population-based CAIDE Study." Marjo H. Eskelinen, Tiia Ngandu, Jaakko Tuomilehto, Hilkka Soininen, Miia Kivipelto. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, Vol 16, No 1, January 2009 (in press). Link.

    Abstract: Caffeine stimulates central nervous system on a short term. However, the long-term impact of caffeine on cognition remains unclear. We aimed to study the association between coffee and/or tea consumption at midlife and dementia/Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk in late-life. Participants of the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE) study were randomly selected from the survivors of a population-based cohorts previously surveyed within the North Karelia Project and the FINMONICA study in 1972, 1977, 1982 or 1987 (midlife visit). After an average follow-up of 21 years, 1409 individuals (71%) aged 65 to 79 completed the re-examination in 1998. A total of 61 cases were identified as demented (48 with AD). Coffee drinkers at midlife had lower risk of dementia and AD later in life compared with those drinking no or only little coffee adjusted for demographic, lifestyle and vascular factors, apolipoprotein E ε4 allele and depressive symptoms. The lowest risk (65% decreased) was found in people who drank 3-5 cups per day. Tea drinking was relatively uncommon and was not associated with dementia/AD. Coffee drinking at midlife is associated with a decreased risk of dementia/AD later in life. This finding might open possibilities for prevention of dementia/AD.
But an even better reason to drink coffee is that it is good for the environment! "It is projected that 340 million gallons of biodiesel can be produced from the waste coffee grounds around the world. The coffee grounds after oil extraction are ideal materials for garden fertilizer, feedstock for ethanol, and as fuel pellets." Link. That clinches it--will probably become law now that you must drink coffee.

2 comments:

Three Score and Ten or more said...

You should note that all but one of the researchers listed on the article are Finnish. In Finland coffee is mother's milk. IN common Finnish Society when coffee is offered and refused, they serve hot water, milk and sugar (silver tea we used to call it.) I suspect that most Finns avoid cold water for fear it will rust them inside. ;->. Thanks for your warning on solo traveling.

Norma said...

That must have been tough on you Mormon missionaries in Finland! I think in England that hot water/milk drink is called cambric tea, or something like that. I used to do that to try to cut down on caffeine.