Drinking 2–3 Cups of Coffee Daily May Help Reduce Dementia Risk, Study Finds
A new long-term study suggests that moderate caffeine consumption — particularly from coffee — may lower the risk of developing dementia later in life. However, researchers found that the protective effect does not appear to extend to decaffeinated coffee.
The research followed nearly 132,000 participants over four decades, tracking their caffeine intake and cognitive health. The findings indicate that people who regularly drank two to three cups of caffeinated coffee per day had a reduced likelihood of developing dementia compared to those who consumed little or no caffeine.
Caffeinated Tea Also Shows Benefits
Coffee wasn’t the only beverage linked to better brain health. The study found that one to two cups of caffeinated tea per day were also associated with a lower dementia risk. Researchers emphasized that the key factor appears to be caffeine itself — not simply the act of drinking coffee.
Interestingly, consuming more than three cups a day did not offer additional protective benefits. Separate research conducted in 2025 found similar results, showing that moderate caffeine intake was associated with lower overall mortality, but excessive amounts did not improve outcomes further.
Early Signs of Cognitive Decline Were Lower
Beyond diagnosed dementia, researchers also examined subjective cognitive decline — when individuals begin noticing memory lapses or thinking difficulties, which can sometimes precede more serious impairment.
Participants who consumed more caffeine were less likely to report these early warning signs. Among approximately 17,000 women over the age of 70 who underwent regular cognitive testing, those with higher caffeine intake performed slightly better on memory and thinking assessments. Their cognitive decline appeared to progress more slowly — by roughly seven months compared to lower-caffeine peers.
Why Caffeine May Support Brain Health
Scientists believe caffeine may benefit brain function through several biological mechanisms. It contains compounds that can reduce neuroinflammation and improve blood vessel function, both important factors in maintaining cognitive health.
Caffeine has also been shown to enhance insulin sensitivity, potentially lowering the risk of diabetes — a known contributor to dementia. These combined effects may explain the observed association between moderate caffeine intake and better cognitive outcomes.
Not a Prescription, But Reassurance
Experts caution that the findings do not mean non-coffee drinkers should feel pressured to start consuming caffeine. Instead, the results may provide reassurance to people who already enjoy coffee or tea in moderation.
Researchers also noted that adding large amounts of sugar or cream may offset some of caffeine’s health benefits, although this specific dementia study did not track those additions.
The protective link between caffeine and dementia risk appeared strongest in individuals under the age of 75, suggesting that adopting healthy habits earlier in life may have a greater long-term impact on cognitive function.
Important Context
While the study’s participants included many medical professionals — which may not perfectly reflect the broader population — researchers observed that higher caffeine consumers were also more likely to smoke or drink alcohol. This suggests the cognitive benefit was not simply due to overall healthier lifestyles.
As dementia continues to affect millions worldwide, understanding how everyday habits like coffee consumption influence brain health remains an important area of research.
