Study Links 2-3 Cups of Coffee to 18% Lower Dementia Risk in 131,000 U.S. Adults
Updated
Updated · HuffPost · May 30
Study Links 2-3 Cups of Coffee to 18% Lower Dementia Risk in 131,000 U.S. Adults
2 articles · Updated · HuffPost · May 30
More than 131,000 U.S. adults tracked for up to four decades showed lower dementia risk with moderate caffeinated coffee or tea intake, with the strongest association at about 2-3 cups of coffee or 1-2 cups of tea daily.
An analysis of over 11,000 dementia cases found people with the highest coffee intake had an 18% lower risk than those with the lowest intake; tea showed similar patterns, and decaf showed no clear benefit.
Researchers also linked higher caffeinated coffee intake to less subjective cognitive decline and, in the Nurses’ Health Study, better objective cognitive performance.
The authors said the observational study does not prove caffeine prevents dementia, and outside experts noted coffee and tea contain other compounds that could contribute alongside caffeine.
The findings add to broader evidence that dementia risk is shaped by overall lifestyle, including diet, exercise and sleep, rather than any single food or drink.
Beyond caffeine, what other compounds in your daily coffee or tea could be secretly protecting your brain from dementia?
A new study shows caffeine restores memory. Could this be the key to reversing age-related cognitive decline?
2026 Breakthrough: Daily Caffeinated Beverages Associated With 18% Drop in Dementia Risk Over Four Decades
Overview
A major 2026 study published in JAMA, led by top U.S. research institutions, tracked over 130,000 adults for up to 43 years to explore the link between caffeinated beverages and dementia prevention. Unlike earlier, shorter studies, this long-term research found that moderate daily consumption of coffee or tea is associated with significant brain health benefits, including an 18% lower risk of developing dementia. The study’s robust design and large sample size make its findings especially important, suggesting that regular, moderate intake of caffeinated drinks could play a meaningful role in supporting cognitive health as we age.