Coffee Linked to Lower Dementia Risk

The New York Times just published a story about the benefits of coffee. (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/24/health/research/24coffee.html?_r=1&em)

A team of Swedish and Danish researchers tracked coffee consumption in a group of 1,409 middle-age men and women for an average of 21 years. During that time, 61 participants developed dementia, 48 with Alzheimer.

After controlling for numerous socioeconomic and health factors, the scientists found that the subjects who had reported drinking three to five cups of coffee daily were 65 percent less likely to have developed dementia, compared with those who drank two cups or less. People who drank more than five cups a day also were at reduced risk of dementia, the researchers said, but there were not enough people in this group to draw statistically significant conclusions.

The scientists say that this was just an "observational study". Being a scientist myself, I understand that! I will strongly suggest that some follow up studies come after this.

Anyway, looking at the results of this study, over 1400 people (out of 2000) were available after 21 years of the study! I think that this is even more important than the "Dementia" observations. It's remarkable that coffee kept all these people focused and available for a scientific study for 21 years!

WoW!