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Two to three cups of caffeinated coffee a day is linked to dramatically lower dementia risk, according to a study tracking U.S. adults for up to 43 years. The benefit held even for people with a genetic predisposition to dementia — but decaf didn't deliver the same results. Tea drinkers also showed cognitive benefits, though at a lower daily dose.
Good news for coffee lovers: a long-running study spanning up to 43 years found that drinking two to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily is associated with significantly lower rates of dementia and better overall cognitive health. The findings held true regardless of participants' genetic risk for dementia — suggesting that your morning brew may offer brain-protective benefits even if your DNA isn't on your side.
Tea drinkers weren't left out either. Consuming one to two cups of tea per day was also linked to lower dementia risk and better cognitive functioning. However, decaffeinated coffee showed no such benefits, pointing to caffeine as a possible — though not yet proven — driver of the effect.
By the Numbers
Why it matters: As global populations age, identifying modifiable lifestyle habits tied to lower dementia risk is increasingly critical. While this study shows association — not causation — the long follow-up period and consistency across genetic risk groups make it a compelling data point for clinicians counseling patients on brain health.
