A daily hot drink could slash the risk of a serious condition by up to 18 per cent, according to new research. A study indicated that habitual consumption of caffeinated tea or coffee diminished the likelihood of dementia developing.

Specifically, this protective effect was observed amongst those consuming one to two cups of tea or two to three cups of coffee. But decaffeinated coffee demonstrated no such protection against dementia.

Within the study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, scientists examined information from over 130,000 Americans who were monitored for as long as 43 years. Throughout this period, 11,033 dementia diagnoses were documented.

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Subjects disclosed their coffee and tea intake every several years, enabling scientists to monitor drinking habits spanning decades. The findings revealed that coffee consumers were not only less prone to dementia diagnosis but also experienced fewer memory difficulties and performed marginally better in cognitive assessments.

Those who drank tea enjoyed comparable advantages, although they required smaller quantities to achieve them. Whilst coffee enthusiasts needed two to three daily cups for optimal benefit, tea drinkers gained equivalent protection from merely one to two cups.

According to Study Finds, habitual caffeine drinkers demonstrated an 18 per cent reduced risk of developing dementia across a 40-year period, with the protective effects remaining consistent irrespective of genetic predisposition, including the APOE4 gene variant. The study's authors noted: "The most pronounced associated differences were observed with intake of approximately two to three cups per day of caffeinated coffee or one to two cups per day of tea.

"Greater consumption of caffeinated coffee and tea was associated with lower risk of dementia and modestly better cognitive function, with the most pronounced association at moderate intake levels."

Both beverages contain abundant caffeine and antioxidants, which help counter brain inflammation, though tea provides additional beneficial compounds. Green and black tea varieties are laden with catechins (natural plant substances that may protect neural cells) and an amino acid called L-theanine, which promotes calmness whilst maintaining alertness.

The research made no distinction between green and black tea varieties, so it remains uncertain whether one type holds an advantage over the other. Scientists have identified multiple mechanisms through which caffeine may offer protection against dementia, though much of this supporting data derives from animal research.

Caffeine inhibits specific receptors in the brain, which ordinarily decelerate cellular function. Through this mild stimulation, caffeine may help forestall the build-up of harmful proteins called beta-amyloid, a defining hallmark of Alzheimer's disease.

Caffeine appears to lessen inflammation within the brain as well. Persistent inflammation can damage brain cells gradually and accelerate cognitive deterioration.

Furthermore, consistent caffeine consumption improves the body's ability to process sugar, lowering the likelihood of diabetes, a major contributing factor to dementia. Coffee and tea provide far more than simply caffeine.

Both beverages are rich in antioxidants, which protect cells from harm and may improve cerebral blood circulation.

These elements function together, although the research highlights that caffeine performs the majority of the heavy lifting. Notably, genetics didn't change the outcome.

People carrying the APOE4 gene variant (which substantially increases Alzheimer's susceptibility) benefited from caffeine equally as much as those lacking this genetic tendency. The protective effect appeared to function regardless of inherited risk elements.

The research did have its constraints, however. The investigation relied upon participants' self-reported dietary patterns via questionnaires, which didn't capture specific types of tea or coffee preparation techniques that could influence bioactive compound concentrations.

Dementia diagnoses were determined through death certificates and participants' accounts of medical consultations rather than comprehensive neurological evaluations, potentially leading to undetected cases or misclassifications. The observational design of the research means it is unable to establish a direct causal relationship between coffee consumption and brain health.

The study's participants were mainly white healthcare workers, which may limit how widely the results can be applied to other ethnic backgrounds or diverse socioeconomic demographics.