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Too Much Coffee May Shrink Your Brain
pine Webmaster of Pineapple
2022/05/23 08:01
508 topics published
Release Date: July 26, 2021
For many, starting the day with coffee has become a daily ritual. Numerous studies have refuted the negative health impacts of coffee, even suggesting benefits for overall health. However, excessive coffee consumption can indeed disrupt the body's systems. A new study from the University of South Australia (UniSA) found that heavy coffee intake may lead to brain shrinkage and increase the risk of dementia.
The study, conducted in collaboration with international research partners, revealed that higher coffee consumption is significantly associated with reduced brain volume. Drinking more than six cups of coffee per day may elevate the risk of brain-related conditions such as dementia and stroke. This research represents the largest investigation into the relationship between coffee, brain volume measurements, dementia risk, and stroke risk, as well as the most comprehensive study incorporating brain imaging data and a wide range of factors.
The study evaluated the effects of coffee on the brains of 17,702 participants aged 37 to 73 from the UK Biobank, a long-term project collecting extensive health and lifestyle metrics, including coffee consumption, brain volume, disease incidence, and additional data such as socioeconomic status for researchers to consider. The findings showed that those who drank six or more cups of coffee daily had a 53% higher likelihood of developing dementia compared to those who consumed one or two cups per day.
Dementia is a degenerative brain disease that affects memory, thinking, behavior, and the ability to perform daily tasks. Approximately 50 million people worldwide are diagnosed with this condition. Stroke, on the other hand, occurs when the brain's blood supply is interrupted, leading to oxygen deprivation, brain damage, and loss of function. Globally, one in four adults over the age of 25 will experience a stroke in their lifetime. Data indicates that this year, 13.7 million people will suffer a stroke, with 5.5 million dying as a result.
The researchers noted that higher coffee consumption is significantly linked to reduced brain volume, though the study did not explore the specific consequences of this shrinkage. While both gray and white matter in the brain contribute to motor and sensory functions, it is challenging to connect their reduction to specific behavioral or cognitive outcomes. Brain shrinkage also occurs naturally with aging, and prior research has suggested a possible link between brain volume and dementia.
Scientists hypothesize that caffeine's interaction with adenosine receptors in the brain may be one mechanism behind these changes. Coffee's effects on other parts of the body, such as the cardiovascular system, could also play an indirect role. Further research is needed to understand how caffeine and coffee interact with brain cells and their ultimate impact.
This study offers valuable insights into the relationship between heavy coffee consumption and brain health, but scientists emphasize that, as with many things in life, moderation is key. Generally, the recommended daily coffee intake is one to two standard cups. While a few cups a day are usually fine, exceeding six cups daily may warrant reconsideration. The findings were published in the journal *Nutritional Neuroscience*.
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https:/ / technews. tw/ 2021/ 07/ ……- will- lead- to- smaller- brain/