Drinking more than three cups of coffee a day may help protect older women against age-related memory decline, according to French researchers. Their findings provide yet another reason for women to embrace the world’s most popular stimulant. However, the study suggests that men do not experience the same benefits.
Karen Ritchie, a researcher at the French National Institute of Medical Research, led the study, which was published in the journal Neurology. “The more coffee one drank, the better the effects seemed to be on women’s memory functioning in particular,” Ritchie stated.
Coffee May Slow Memory Decline in Women?
Let’s dive into the details of the study below.
Study Overview
The researchers observed over 7,000 men and women in three French cities, tracking their health, mental function, and lifestyle habits, including dietary intake and daily activities. By analyzing this data, they identified the specific role caffeine played in cognitive health.
Findings
The study found that women who consumed more than three cups of coffee per day, or its caffeine equivalent in tea, retained more of their verbal and, to a lesser extent, visual memories over a four-year period. Specifically:
- These women had 33% lower odds of experiencing verbal memory decline.
- They had 18% lower odds of experiencing visual and spatial memory decline compared to women who drank one cup or fewer per day.
- The protective effects were more pronounced in women over 80 than in younger women aged 65 to 75.
Possible Explanations
It remains unclear whether current or past coffee consumption contributed to the observed benefits. Some animal studies have suggested that caffeine might block the buildup of proteins associated with mental decline, potentially reducing the risk of neurodegenerative conditions.
Interestingly, men did not experience similar cognitive benefits. “Our best guess is that women metabolize coffee differently than men,” Ritchie speculated in a telephone interview.
Future Research and Considerations
Ritchie and her team plan to continue monitoring the participants to determine whether caffeine consumption can delay the onset of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
However, she also cautioned that individuals should consider both the potential cognitive benefits and possible drawbacks of excessive caffeine intake, such as increased blood pressure.
According to the National Coffee Association, the average American drinks one to two cups of coffee per day, suggesting that many people may already be consuming caffeine at levels that could provide cognitive benefits.
While further research is needed, this study adds to the growing body of evidence highlighting the potential neuroprotective effects of caffeine, particularly for older women.
