Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

A Coffee a Day May Keep Dementia Away: Study

Daily caffeine helps protect the brain from damaging cholesterol

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 3, 2008 4:52 AM CDT

(Newser) – A daily fix of caffeine helps shield the brain from the damaging effects of cholesterol, which is apparently the way coffee helps reduce the risk of dementia, new research suggests. The "blood-brain barrier" protects the brain from toxins in the bloodstream, but scientists have discovered that cholesterol makes it leaky. The strength of the barrier was boosted in rabbits given the caffeine equivalent of a daily cup of joe, reports the BBC.

Cholesterol has already been linked to a higher risk of Alzheimer's, and coffee has been tied to lower rates of dementia. The new research suggests caffeine "could have an important part to play in therapies against neurological disorders," said an author of the study, published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation.  A spokeswoman for the Alzheimer's Disease Society called the findings "the best evidence yet" of coffee's benefits and called for more research.

Caffeine is a safe and readily available drug, a reseacher said. It could have an important part to play in therapies against neurological disorders.
"Caffeine is a safe and readily available drug," a reseacher said. "It could have an important part to play in therapies against neurological disorders."   ((c) SMercury98)
Studies on rabbits found that caffeine helped stop cholesterol in the bloodstream from breaching the 'blood brain barrier.'
Studies on rabbits found that caffeine helped stop cholesterol in the bloodstream from breaching the 'blood brain barrier.'   ((c) vicky_mika)
A spokeswoman for the Alzheimer's Disease Society said the study's findings were the best evidence yet of the benefits of caffeine in preventing the disease.
A spokeswoman for the Alzheimer's Disease Society said the study's findings were the best evidence yet of the benefits of caffeine in preventing the disease.   ((c) Shereen M)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

High Cholesterol in 40s Tied to Dementia Later

New Drug Could Halt Alzheimer's

Dementia Patients Often Can't Detect Sarcasm

Coffee May Stall Memory Loss in Women

Only Human Brains Shrink


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne