Moderate coffee consumption is linked to lower level of cognitive decline

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Men consuming three cups of coffee per day experienced a slower level of cognitive decline than those consuming either more or less than this.
Coffee is universally known as a short-term stimulant which perks up mental performance. But what of its long-term impact? Researchers in The Netherlands, Finland and Italy now report upon a study of 676 healthy men followed up for ten years, whose mental performance was monitored with the Mini-Mental State Examination. This showed that men who consumed coffee had a ten year cognitive decline of 1.2 points, which is about four per cent. Those who did not consume coffee had an additional decline of 1.4 points.

Further analysis was revealing - men who drank three cups a day had the lowest level of cognitive decline at 0.6 points. Drinking more or less than this was linked to a higher level of cognitive decline. The researchers think it may be the caffeine in the coffee which protects cognitive functioning, but point out that coffee contains many other potentially important substances, chief of which is one called chlorogenic acid. Too much coffee may have an adverse effect, but it appears that, whatever its mechanism, moderate consumption may slow down cognitive decline.

Source
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition February 2007 Volume 61 pages 226-232

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