BRAIN HEALTH
COFFEE VS. ALZHEIMER'S
COFFEE & BRAIN HEALTH
Everybody’s favorite morning beverage
has been receiving quite the buzz
lately with a new study suggesting
that benefits from coffee are not just
from caffeine. Research has touted
the list of health benefits associated
with a cup of Joe—your brain health
among them.
Like any good thing, there are a few
downsides, but many studies have
benefits associated with moderate
coffee sipping usually regarding the
high caffeine content. A recent study
by the Krembil Brain Institute in
Toronto has found some exciting links
between coffee and lowering the risk
of developing diseases such as Alzheimer’s
and Parkinson’s and even found
that decaf could work just as well.
Researchers are looking
into whether your
favorite roast (decaf
included!) might hold the key
to protecting the brain against
neurodegenerative diseases.
Initial results are promising.
The study aimed to analyze previous
studies that had found links
between coffee drinking and lower
risk of developing neurodegenerative
diseases. The research team evaluated
several compounds released during
the roasting process in three types of
coffee beans: caffeinated dark roast,
caffeinated light roast, and decaffeinated
dark roast.
The two toxic proteins linked to the
development of Alzheimer’s disease,
amyloid beta and tau, were evaluated
to see how they interacted with the
compounds. Other studies suggest
the coffee compounds could provide
a neuroprotective effect by inhibiting
these proteins from forming the
terminally disruptive clumps and webs
found in the brains of those affected
by Alzheimer’s.
LINKS: www.alz.org (Alzheimer's Association)
8 COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE DIGEST • JAN–MAR 2019 | WWW.CHDIGEST.COM
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