Health Watch: Caffeine & Alzheimer's

We just read this fascinating article about a study from earlier this year that indicates regular coffee consumption can decrease the risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer's later in life. Researchers found that caffeine may cut the risk of dementia because of its ability to block the adverse effects of high cholesterol on the body's systems -- one of which may be the breakdown of the blood/brain barrier that protects our brain tissue from potentially harmful chemicals in our bloodstream. There have been previous studies to indicate that the breakdown of this barrier may contribute to the development of dementia and Alzheimer's. The research centered on rabbits, which were given a high cholesterol diet over a 12 week period, some of which were also given the equivalent of one cup of coffee per day. At the end of the trial, researchers found that the blood/brain barrier in the rabbits that had the coffee supplement was far less deteriorated than the rabbits with no supplement. The results of this research are a very interesting step in determining both new restoration therapies and preventative care. So sip your daily joe knowing that it's not only delicious -- it's brain food!