New Study Suggests One Cup of Coffee or Four Cups of Tea Could Reduce Dementia Risk

Could your daily cup of coffee or tea be doing more than just giving you a little energy boost? Recent research is shedding light on a surprising connection—moderate consumption of coffee and tea might actually help lower the risk of dementia for people with high blood pressure.

A study published in Scientific Reports found that patients with hypertension who sip about half to one cup of coffee or four to five cups of tea daily could experience a reduced risk of developing dementia. And given that hypertension is linked to around 11% to 20% of dementia cases in South Korea, this is huge news.

How Does High Blood Pressure Lead to Dementia?

We know hypertension is a big risk factor for both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, especially if it develops in middle age. Elevated blood pressure can damage the blood vessels that supply your brain, leading to reduced blood flow and brain damage, which can speed up cognitive decline.

Chronic hypertension can increase the risk of neurodegenerative changes due to cumulative effects such as small infarcts, white matter lesions, and disruptions in the blood-brain barrier. Beyond its own risks, hypertension is closely linked to other vascular risk factors, including diabetes and hyperlipidemia, which further elevate the risk of cognitive impairment.

The Study

A recent study investigated the relationship between coffee consumption and dementia risk by analyzing data from 453,913 participants in the UK Biobank. The participants had an average age of about 72 and were observed over an average period of 15 years. Participants with a history of dementia or secondary hypertension were excluded from the study.

After controlling for confounding variables, the researchers found that individuals with high blood pressure faced a greater risk of all-cause dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and vascular dementia compared to those with normal blood pressure.

The Coffee-Dementia Connection

The research team also explained the distinct association between coffee and tea consumption and dementia risk. For participants with high blood pressure, the study revealed a J-shaped relationship between coffee intake and the risk of all-cause dementia. This suggests that moderate coffee consumption is linked to a lower risk of dementia compared to both non-consumption and excessive intake.

Among participants with high blood pressure, those who consumed half to one cup of coffee daily had the lowest risk of all-cause dementia, while those who drank six or more cups daily exhibited the highest risk.

The type of coffee consumed also influenced dementia risk; participants who drank brewed coffee had a lower risk of all-cause and vascular dementia compared to those who opted for decaffeinated coffee.

What About Tea?

Similarly, among participants with high blood pressure, tea consumption demonstrated a U-shaped relationship with all-cause dementia risk. This finding aligns with the J-shaped relationship observed with coffee, indicating that those who consumed four to five cups of tea daily had the lowest risk of developing dementia.

No Significant Effects for Those with Normal Blood Pressure

Interestingly, participants with high blood pressure who consumed both tea and coffee showed the lowest risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and all-cause dementia when they drank four to five cups of coffee and more than six cups of tea daily.

Conversely, among participants with normal blood pressure, no significant associations were found between coffee or tea consumption and the risk of all-cause dementiAlzheimer’sr’s disease or vascular dementia.

Among participants with high blood pressure, a U-shaped relationship was identified between caffeine intake and the risk of vascular and all-cause dementia. In contrast, a W-shaped relationship was observed among participants with normal blood pressure, suggesting that consuming a specific amount of caffeine can lower dementia risk, while intake levels in between may actually increase the risk.

The research team emphasized the importance of managing hypertension to mitigate dementia risk, noting that lifestyle factors, including caffeine intake, can play a beneficial role.