Caffeine May Reduce the Risk of Dementia in Women

dementia and caffeine

One of the many reasons people take care of their health is so that their older years are golden. There are a lot of regular activities that can help protect brain health as we age. We already know about exercise and eating antioxidant-rich foods, but what about caffeine intake?

Maybe you feel guilty about your daily cup or cups of coffee. Caffeine can sometimes feel like an indulgent treat that negatively impacts your health. However, science would like to disagree. New research has come out about caffeine’s ability to burn fat, help us solve problems, feel happier and fight pain during and after exercise. And, there’s more good news. There’s new research out about caffeine and brain health, so you should feel good about reaching for coffee, tea, or a delicious Seattle Gummy Mocca Shot

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Study

A group of researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UW) reported that women who consumed high amounts of caffeine per day may have a reduced risk of dementia.  The results were published in the Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. What amazing news!

The study examined the relationships between caffeine intake and dementia incidence in a large and well-defined group of women. The findings come from participants in the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study, which is funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. UW researchers used data from 6,467 community-dwelling, postmenopausal women aged 65 and older who reported some level of caffeine consumption. Intake was estimated from questions about coffee, tea, and cola beverage intake, including frequency and serving size.

In 10 years or less of follow-up with annual assessments of cognitive function, 388 of these women received a diagnosis of probable dementia or some form of global cognitive impairment. Those who consumed above the median amount of caffeine (with an average intake of 261 mg per day) were diagnosed at a lower rate than those who fell below the median (with an average intake of 64 mg per day). The researchers adjusted for risk factors such as hormone therapy, age, race, education, body mass index, sleep quality, depression, hypertension, prior cardiovascular disease, diabetes, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

Conclusion

In summary, among this studied group of older women, self-reported caffeine consumption of more than 261 mg per day was associated with a 36% reduction in the risk of incident dementia over 10 years of follow-up. This level is equivalent to two to three 8-oz cups of coffee per day, five to six 8-oz cups of black tea, seven to eight 12-oz cans of cola, or almost 1 and a half Mocca Shots. 

Part of what is so great about this study is that it draws its data from thousands of participants. And the fact that the researchers were able to factor in risk factors like hormone therapy, weight, and sleep quality adds more relevance to the data. Knowing that caffeine has the power to protect you from dementia later on in life gives you a powerful way to take action now. Now you can toast yourself and your good health each morning while you steep a pot of tea, or brew your coffee. And who knows? Maybe this study will give you the permission to drink more coffee or tea, or even better, to try a Seattle Gummy Mocca Shot energy chew!

Use Seattle Gummy’s Energy Chews

Mocca Shots High Energy Chocolate Caffeine Gummy, each delicious gummy packing 200mg of natural caffeine (equivalent to two large cups of coffee).  Made with ingredients, Mocca Shots are plant-based, gluten-free, non-GMO, and always made in the USA. Feel the benefits faster with our delicious caffeine gummies. Gummies release their caffeine and other beneficial ingredients into the mouth where they are absorbed very quickly by the thin skin of the mouth. Within three minutes, you’ll be feeling the caffeine!  Mocca Shots come in convenient pocket-sized resealable to-go packs. Our patent-pending formulation makes these caffeine shots resistant to heat, so they do not melt. This means you can leave them in your car, backpack, or purse for a quick dose of brain-boosting action whenever needed.

Journal Reference:

Ira Driscoll, Sally A. Shumaker, Beverly M. Snively, Karen L. Margolis, JoAnn E. Manson, Mara Z. Vitolins, Rebecca C. Rossom, Mark A. Espeland. Relationships Between Caffeine Intake and Risk for Probable Dementia or Global Cognitive Impairment: The Women’s Health Initiative Memory StudyThe Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 2016; glw078 DOI: 10.1093/gerona/glw078