Can drinking coffee reduce your risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease? According to a study at the University of Kuopio, Finland in collaboration with the Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden, and the National Public Health Institute in Helsinki, Finland, the answer is yes.

The January 2009 issue of The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease (Volume 16:1) reported that the coffee drinking participants involved in a 21-year study had significantly lower incidences.

The consumption of coffee was assessed in three groups: those who drank 0-2 cups; 3-5 cups; and more than 5 cups per day. The study found that coffee drinkers at midlife had lower risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease later in life compared to those drinking no or only little coffee. The lowest risk (65% decreased) was found among those drinking between 3-5 cups of coffee a day.

Perhaps that morning jump-start, afternoon buzz and late night jolt is doing more good than you’d imagined.

Publication: Marjo H. Eskelinen, Tiia Ngandu, Jaakko Tuomilehto, Hilkka Soininen, Miia Kivipelto (2009).

Image: DeaPeaJay