Drinking tea and coffee could reduce cognitive decline claims study

The research by University of California looked at the impact of coffee and tea drinking on the cognitive decline of 4,800 people aged over 65 over 14 years.

It found people who drank tea regularly recorded 17-37 per cent less cognitive decline than non-tea drinkers. Drinking coffee more than five times a week reduced cognitive decline by around 20 per cent.

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'In recent years a number of studies have emerged suggesting a good cuppa could be much more than the obvious accompaniment for a biscuit. This latest research adds weight to previous research that indicates caffeine could significantly reduce cognitive decline. However we are still a long way from being able to say for sure that a regular brew will reduce your risk of developing dementia.

'We now need to understand the biology of these findings and whether they could be important for the prevention or treatment of dementia.  Dementia research is desperately underfunded. If we are to establish the causes or find a cure of this devastating disease we must invest more now.'

Professor Clive Ballard
Director of Research
Alzheimer's Society