Too much coffee increases risk of dementia and stroke

While a quick coffee in the morning may help to perk us up, new research led by the University of South Australia (UniSA) shows that too much could be dragging us down — especially when it comes to brain health.

In the largest study of its kind, researchers at UniSA’s Australian Centre for Precision Health at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and their international collaborators found that high coffee consumption is associated with smaller total brain volumes and an increased risk of dementia. The study assessed the effects of coffee on the brain among 17,702 UK Biobank participants (aged 37–73), with the results — published in the journal Nutritional Neuroscience — revealing that those who drank more than six cups of coffee a day had a 53% increased risk of dementia.

“This is the most extensive investigation into the connections between coffee, brain volume measurements, the risks of dementia and the risks of stroke; it’s also the largest study to consider volumetric brain imaging data and a wide range of confounding factors,” said UniSA PhD candidate Kitty Pham, lead researcher on the study.

“Accounting for all possible permutations, we consistently found that higher coffee consumption was significantly associated with reduced brain volume — essentially, drinking more than six cups of coffee a day may be putting you at risk of brain diseases such as dementia and stroke.”

Senior investigator Professor Elina Hyppönen, Director of the Australian Centre for Precision Health, said while the news may be a bitter brew for coffee lovers, it’s all about finding a balance between what you drink and what’s good for your health.

“This research provides vital insights about heavy coffee consumption and brain health, but as with many things in life, moderation is the key,” Prof Hyppönen said.

“Together with other genetic evidence and a randomised controlled trial, these data strongly suggest that high coffee consumption can adversely affect brain health. While the exact mechanisms are not known, one simple thing we can do is to keep hydrated and remember to drink a bit of water alongside that cup of coffee.

“Typical daily coffee consumption is somewhere between one and two standard cups of coffee. Of course, while unit measures can vary, a couple of cups of coffee a day is generally fine.

“However, if you’re finding that your coffee consumption is heading up toward more than six cups a day, it’s about time you rethink your next drink.”

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Rawf8

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