Coffee (Coffea genus)

Alzheimer's Disease

Substantial evidence from epidemiological studies and fundamental research in animal models suggests that caffeine may be protective against the cognitive decline seen in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A special supplement to the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, “Therapeutic Opportunities for Caffeine in Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases, 2010” sheds new light on this topic and presents key findings.

“Epidemiological studies first revealed an inverse association between the chronic consumption of caffeine and the incidence of Parkinson’s disease,” according to Mendonça and Cunha. “This was paralleled by animal studies of Parkinson’s disease showing that caffeine prevented motor deficits as well as neurodegeneration “Later a few epidemiological studies showed that the consumption of moderate amounts of caffeine was inversely associated with the cognitive decline associated with aging as well as the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. Again, this was paralleled by animal studies showing that chronic caffeine administration prevented memory deterioration and neurodegeneration in animal models of aging and of Alzheimer’s disease.”

Senile Dementia

Substantial evidence from epidemiological studies and fundamental research in animal models suggests that caffeine may be protective against the cognitive decline seen in dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A special supplement to the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, “Therapeutic Opportunities for Caffeine in Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases, 2010” sheds new light on this topic and presents key findings.

“Epidemiological studies first revealed an inverse association between the chronic consumption of caffeine and the incidence of Parkinson’s disease,” according to Mendonça and Cunha. “This was paralleled by animal studies of Parkinson’s disease showing that caffeine prevented motor deficits as well as neurodegeneration “Later a few epidemiological studies showed that the consumption of moderate amounts of caffeine was inversely associated with the cognitive decline associated with aging as well as the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease. Again, this was paralleled by animal studies showing that chronic caffeine administration prevented memory deterioration and neurodegeneration in animal models of aging and of Alzheimer’s disease.”

Hypotension

If tolerated, you may try drinking coffee in the morning. The amount of caffeine normally found in two cups of coffee (200mg) can decrease postural hypotension in young adults and can be safely used by older adults as well.

Elevated Homocysteine Levels

Two weeks of administration of caffeine tablets (870 mg/d) or coffee (0.9 L paper-filtered coffee providing 870 mg/d caffeine) increased plasma homocysteine concentrations in a well-controlled study of 48 adult volunteers. Caffeinated coffee increased homocysteine levels approximately twice as much as caffeine alone. [Am J Clin Nutr 2002;76(6): pp.1244-8]

Poor Memory

In a study of 15 healthy men ages 26 to 47, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) showed increased activity in the frontal lobe where the working memory is located and in the anterior cingulum that controls attention 20 minutes after the men consumed 100mg of caffeine.

Also, after consuming caffeine, all the men showed a tendency toward improved reaction times on the test, compared to when they had no caffeine, said study author Dr.Florian Koppelstatter, a radiology fellow at the university.

Caffeine is the world’s most widely used stimulant, with a global, per-person average of 76mg a day.

Headaches, Migraine/Tension

Researchers at the Diamond Headache Clinic in Chicago, Illinois have found that caffeine may make your headache feel better. Already an ingredient in some over-the-counter headache medications, caffeine may do more than speed the other

ingredients through your system to alleviate your headache faster. Caffeine, given by itself, was given to headache sufferers. The result was that 58% said it was completely successful; the same number reported ibuprofen alone was completely successful. Many said that they felt better, faster taking just the caffeine. When standard painkillers were

combined with caffeine, 70% of patients reported complete relief.

Caffeine does, of course, have a down side. It is a stimulant and some studies have actually found that high caffeine consumption is linked with suffering from more headaches, perpetuation of the headache cycle and a temporary rise in blood pressure.

Gallbladder Disease

An intake of 2-3 cups per day of caffeinated coffee was associated with a reduced risk of developing symptomatic gallstone disease in a study of over 80,000 women with no history of gallstone disease at the beginning of a 20 year study. Caffeine from any source exerted this effect. [Gastroenterology 2002;123(6): pp.1823-30]

Increased Risk of Alzheimer's / Dementia

Research suggests that drinking several cups of coffee each day during middle-age, may significantly reduce the odds of developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life.

Swedish and Finnish researchers studied the association between tea and coffee consumption during middle-age and the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in late-life. The researchers first questioned people about their tea and coffee drinking habits. A total of 1409 participants were available for the follow-up re-examination approximately 21 years later. At follow-up participants were aged between 65 to 79, and 61 participants were found to be suffering from dementia, 48 of which had Alzheimer’s disease.

Results showed that people who drank coffee whilst middle-aged had a significantly lower risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease than those who drank little or no coffee. With participants who reported a moderate coffee consumption (3 to 5 cups each day) being 65% less likely to develop dementia/Alzheimer’s disease than those who drank little or no coffee. Tea drinking was uncommon in the study population and the researchers found no association between drinking tea and dementia/Alzheimer’s disease.

“Given the large amount of coffee consumption globally, the results might have important implications for the prevention of or delaying the onset of dementia/Alzheimer’s disease,” said lead researcher, Miia Kivipelto. “The finding needs to be confirmed by other studies, but it opens the possibility that dietary interventions could modify the risk of dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. Also, identification of mechanisms of how coffee exerts its protection against dementia/Alzheimer’s disease might help in the development of new therapies for these diseases.” [A Population-based CAIDE Study. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. 2009;16]

Pruritus Ani