Coffee linked to lower Alzheimer’s risk and multiple health benefits, study finds

A scientific study has revealed a range of potential health benefits associated with drinking coffee, including helping to reduce stress, improve certain aspects of memory and thinking, and a link to lower risk of several diseases, among them Alzheimer’s disease.

An experiment conducted on volunteers found that simply being exposed to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee could have a positive effect on mood. Participants reported lower levels of anxiety, fatigue, and stress, along with increased relaxation, while heart rates remained largely unchanged, according to Russia’s Gazeta.ru newspaper.

The results indicated that people who drank two to three cups of coffee daily performed better in some memory and cognitive tests compared to those who preferred other beverages. Consuming one to two cups of fresh coffee per day was also associated with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Compounds behind coffee’s benefits

Researchers attribute some of these effects to phenylindanes, compounds formed during the roasting of coffee beans, with their levels increasing as the roast becomes darker.

Coffee beans also contain polyphenols, antioxidant compounds that help combat free radicals, which can damage cells and tissues. Researchers believe these compounds may help protect the body from certain diseases, including some types of cancer.

Polyphenols may also help reduce cholesterol buildup on blood vessel walls, supporting their flexibility and improving blood flow.

Coffee’s link to kidney and liver health

According to the findings, coffee consumption was linked to a 23% lower risk of acute kidney failure, possibly due to its role in supporting blood flow to the kidneys and protecting their function.

The results also showed that drinking coffee was associated with about a 25% reduction in the risk of liver cancer.

Coffee and blood sugar

Coffee beans contain chlorogenic acid, which may help slow the release of glucose into the bloodstream after eating carbohydrate-rich foods. Researchers suggest this effect could be one reason why some coffee drinkers have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

During roasting, compounds such as niacin are also formed, with its levels increasing in darker roasts. Nicotinic acid plays a role in supporting blood vessel health, and the findings suggest it may help protect nerve cells from deterioration of the myelin sheath.

According to researchers, these effects may help explain some of the links observed between coffee consumption and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Potential impact on brain and mood

Coffee’s components are not limited to memory-related effects. Nicotinic acid may also support processes involved in nerve signal transmission and is involved in the production of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, which play a role in regulating mood and feelings of happiness.