Good news for coffee lovers - it may help to prevent Alzheimers!

Recent findings from scientific research conducted at the University of South Florida, suggest that caffeine intake may have a beneficial influence in preventing the onset of Alzheimers and may even reverse symptoms. In the study, 55 mice were bred to develop symptoms of alzheimers and at age 18 to 19 months (equivalent to the human age of 70) were tested to see if they had developed memory problems. Following this, half the mice were given plain drinking water and the other half had caffeine added to their water. This at 500 milligrams or 227 grams was the equivalent of five cups of coffee a day, equal to two lattes or cappucinos, 14 cups of tea or 20 soft drinks.

It was found that on testing the mice two months later half of those who had been given the caffeine had better results on memory tests than those without the caffeine who performed very poorly. The caffeine group performed as well as mice of a similar age but without dementia! It was also found that the caffeine group had a 50 per cent reduction in levels of beta amyloid plaques, a protein that causes destructive lumps in the brains of those suffering with dementia. This is because the caffeine prevents the manufacture of the two enzymes responsible for the manufacture of beta amyloids and, also stops the formation of inflammatory changes in the brain that may result in the over production of beta amyloids.

Leader of the study Dr Gary Arendash said: "The results are particularly exciting in that a reversal of pre-existing memory impairment is more difficult to achieve. They provide evidence that caffeine could be a viable treatment for established Alzheimer's disease and not simply a protective strategy. That's important because caffeine is a safe drug for most people, it easily enters the brain, and it appears to directly affect the disease process." Now the research team are hoping to get similar positive results for caffeine in human beings.

However, Neil Hunt, CEO of the Alzheimer's Society warned that it is too soon to determine whether drinking coffee has a similar protective effect in people.

Nevertheless it seems that coffee is now recommended for mental alertness and for processing information. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has confirmed it to be a non addictive substance.

So now you can enjoy your cup of coffee knowing it will keep you awake, alert and hopefully help to prevent Alzheimers in your later years!

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