Coffee and Tea Consumption Decreases the Risk of Stroke and Dementia

Stroke and dementia have become an increasing global health consern that bring a heavy economic and social burden worldwide. With the increase in aging population, dementia has become more prevalent, and stroke accounts for 10% of all deaths globally.

There has been considerable controversy on the association of coffee and drink consumption with stroke, dementia, and cardiovascular heart. 

Coffee & Tea Lowers Dementia and Stroke Risk

Usually, coffee has been discouraged in people with cardiovascular disease because of the associated increase in heart rate, but recent studies suggests that it can even have positive beneficial effects to cardiovascular health, while also decreasing the risk of death.

In a recent study published in the journal PLoS Medicine, researchers found that coffee intake of 2-3 cups per day or intake of tea of 3-5 cups per day or their combination intake of 4 to 6 cups per day is linked with a decreased incidence of stroke and dementia. 

The study included a total of 365,682 participants from a cohort of the UK Biobank. Participants were 50 to 74 years old and joined the study from 2006 to 2010, and were followed up until 2020. During a median follow-up of 11.4 years for new onset disease, 5,079 participants developed dementia, and 10,053 participants developed stroke.

The team found that drinking 2-3 cups of coffee with 2-3 cups of tea daily were associated with a 32% lower risk of stroke and 28% lower risk of dementia. They also found that intake of coffee alone or in combination with tea was associated with lower risk of poststroke dementia. 

Conclusions

Results of multiple studies have shown that the consumption of coffee and tea have a beneficial effect on our health, helping to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, dementia, and even reduce the risk of death. For now, let’s continue enjoying coffee and tea. 

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Source:

Zhang Y, Yang H, Li S, Li WD, Wang Y. Consumption of coffee and tea and risk of developing stroke, dementia, and poststroke dementia: A cohort study in the UK Biobank. PLoS Med. 2021 Nov 16;18(11):e1003830. doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003830. PMID: 34784347; PMCID: PMC8594796. 

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Credits: Francisco Fernandez, MD.