Feb 18, 2026
3 min read
The results of the Harvard study focus on caffeine as the main responsible for the neuroprotective effects.
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There is increasing evidence that what is for many people a fragrant way to add energy to their body to better cope with the day is also a more effective strategy to maintain health.And, although coffee is often associated with its caffeine content, it also contains a mixture of more than 2,000 potential bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which account for a good part of its cardiometabolic benefits or its effects on reducing the risk of developing colorectal, liver and prostate cancer.
However, a new study by researchers at Harvard University suggests that caffeine is primarily responsible for reducing the risk of dementia, slowing cognitive decline and preserving cognitive function.
"When we were looking for tools to prevent possible dementia, we thought that something as common as coffee could be a promising dietary intervention, and our unique access to high-quality data through studies that have been carried out for more than 40 years allowed us to confirm that idea," explained Dr.Daniel Wang, a researcher and professor at a prestigious academic institution.
The amount of coffee (and tea) that takes care of the brain
Not for nothing, according to the results of the work published in JAMA, moderate consumption of caffeinated coffee (2-3 cups per day) or tea (1-2 cups per day) reduces the risk of dementia, reduces cognitive decline and maintains cognitive functions.
However, it is important to note that this is not a panacea or a magic bullet.When we talk about dementia we do so as a term that covers various diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, which ultimately affects memory, thinking and the ability to perform daily activities.But the risk of suffering from it in some of its forms is closely related to aspects such as age, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle, drinking a lot of alcohol, obesity, hypertension, diabetes or depression.
In fact, early prevention and attention to the habits that shape the lifestyle are more decisive in reducing the incidence of the disease, and then, small gestures like drinking coffee can also be useful and decisive.
"Although our results are encouraging, it is important to remember that the magnitude of the effect is small and there are many important ways to protect cognitive function as we age. Our research shows that drinking caffeinated coffee or tea may be a piece of that puzzle," explains Wang.
In any case, Harvard experts found that those who drank the most caffeinated coffee had an 18% lower risk of dementia compared to those who reported little or no caffeine consumption.Higher consumption of tea showed similar results while decaffeinated coffee did not, suggesting that caffeine may be the active factor causing these neuroprotective results, although more research is needed to verify the factors and mechanisms responsible.
Álvaro Piqueras is a sports expert and has specialized in fitness, nutrition and other health topics for the past five years.Try to follow new research and trends in the field you master, so you can share training routines that can produce changes in your habits, characteristics of foods that should be part of your diet or can improve your physical and mental discovery.
He began his career in local and regional media in the land of Don Quixote, specifically in Albacete.He then made the jump to the national media after an enriching career at the best independent marketing agency called the Beatles song (GettingBetter), but he always kept his journalism profession.
Thus he pursued his dream of working for one of the country's major publishing groups such as Prisa, Vosento and now Hearst.Perhaps you read it in the digital version of Diario As, dealing with a myriad of topics, or on ABC and other newspapers and magazines of the group, producing branded content reports for big brands, multinationals and institutions.And if you haven't had a chance, now is the time to do it at Men's Health and Runner's World.
Because it is not possible, he admits to being a lover of sports and from a young age he tried a variety of disciplines such as sports, football, basketball, tennis, cycling or swimming.Sometimes feel the adrenaline of competition, and other times just enjoy the benefits of physical activity.Now he practiced functional exercises and boxing because he was sure that the bag could not beat him back.
A graduate of Public Relations from the University of Alicante, he also has specialized training in public relations and leadership, strategic planning and image design.Lately he's been involved in creative journalism projects, but swears and swears he doesn't use them professionally because, in part, he continues to enjoy every word he writes after 20 years in communications.
