With over 400 billion cups consumed every year, coffee is certainly one of the world’s most popular drinks. So many of us can’t – or won’t – get through the day without it (this writer included). But a cup of coffee may provide more than just an energy boost. Coffee contains hundreds of phytochemicals and antioxidants, Vitamin B3, magnesium, and potassium – so you can actually pack some micronutrients in with your caffeine fix. But more recently, there has been research looking into coffee’s positive effects on the brain, so read on for these Top 5 Cognitive Health Benefits of Coffee!
1. Coffee may protect you from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
Observational studies have found that caffeine may be protective against neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. These studies have shown that moderate coffee consumption, of about three to five cups a day, is associated with a 65% reduced risk of developing dementia later on in life. This is not only because the antioxidants in coffee may help to protect the body from oxidative cell damage, but also the enhancing psychoactive properties of caffeine keeping brain cells well-exercised and healthier for longer.
2. Coffee can fight depression
Although this association is not yet fully established, a Harvard study published in 2011 found that women who drank 4 or more cups per day had a 20% lower risk of developing depression. Another study with over 200,000 participants found that those who drank 4 cups of coffee per day were 53% less likely to commit suicide. Although some research points toward the activating and mood-elevating effects coffee has on the endocrine system, it is not yet fully understood why this is the case and further research is needed in this area.
3. Coffee may improve mental performance
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded a cause and effect relationship between improved alertness and attention and consuming 75mg of caffeine – the amount found in a regular cup of coffee per day. In the brain, caffeine blocks an inhibitory neurotransmitter called adenosine. When this happens, the amount of other neurotransmitters increases and leads to an enhanced firing of neurons. Too much science? In summary – coffee can impact brain function in a positive way!
4. Coffee may improve memory
A review study showed that moderate caffeine intake may appear to improve working memory. It has been suggested that this is because caffeine may block the neurotransmitter adenosine (as mentioned above) and prevent it from stopping the function of norepinephrine, a hormone that has been shown to have positive effects on memory.
5. Coffee may improve mood
A review by A. Nehlig in 2010 suggests that one cup of coffee (containing 75mg caffeine) every 4 hours can result in a sustained improvement of mood over the day, especially in fatigued individuals. On the other hand, overconsumption can have the opposite effect and cause nervousness, anxiety and jitteriness. Thankfully, the effects of caffeine are reversible, suggesting that taking even large amounts of it has no significant detrimental effect on physiological health.
