Can coffee impact your brain health? A new study investigates

Here's what you need to know before ordering that latte

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Danielle Valente
By Danielle Valente
published

Can coffee impact your brain health? Is your go-to cup of Joe doing more harm than good? 

Considering nine billion kilograms of the beverage are consumed each year, we assume that sipping on a latte or espresso every day is nothing out of the norm—even if we can't seem to agree about the best time of the day to drink coffee. But one study is taking our caffeine habits a step further to uncover how it'll affect us in the future. 

According to research findings from Nutritional Neuroscience, high coffee intake can result in smaller total brain volumes and increased odds of dementia, both startling realizations. After taking a closer look at the 17,702 UK Biobank participants who had MRIs on file, the experts further concluded that six or more cups of coffee per day increase the risk for dementia by 53 percent.  

(Do keep in mind that an 8-ounce cup of coffee with 100 mg of caffeine is considered  standard, not a venti-sized Starbucks treat.) 

Can coffee impact your brain health?

In short, yes, coffee does have detrimental effects if you abuse it, just like any other beverage or food. But typically, those who are used to one or two cups per day don't have to fret. According to a Harvard medical study, the time to discuss your coffee consumption with a doctor would be if you're experiencing tremors, having sleeping problems, or feeling stressed and uncomfortable.

Although there has been some debate for years whether or not coffee is good or bad for your health, it does have the potential to protect us against Parkinson's disease. Type 2 diabetes, and liver disease, according to Mayo Clinic.  There are definitely perks besides the taste and energy jolt!

Should you experience any worrisome effects, regardless of how much coffee you are or are not drinking, always consult your doctor.

Danielle Valente
Danielle Valente
Digital News Writer

Need a TV show recommendation? Maybe a few decor tips? Danielle, a digital news writer at Future, has you covered. Her work appears throughout the company’s lifestyle brands, including My Imperfect Life, Real Homes, and woman&home. Mainly, her time is spent at My Imperfect Life, where she’s attuned to the latest entertainment trends and dating advice for Gen Z.


Before her time at Future, Danielle was the editor of Time Out New York Kids, where she got to experience the best of the city from the point of view of its littlest residents. Before that, she was a news editor at Elite Daily. Her work has also appeared in Domino, Chowhound, and amNewYork, to name a few. 


When Danielle’s not writing, you can find her testing out a new recipe, reading a book (suggestions always welcome), or rearranging the furniture in her apartment…again. 

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