Mystery ingredient in coffee boosts protection against Alzheimer’s disease
June 22, 2011
(Credit: iStockPhoto)
A yet-unidentified component of coffee interacts with caffeine, a possible reason why daily coffee intake protects against Alzheimer’s disease, researchers at the University of South Florida have found.
One clue: they found that caffeinated coffee induces an increase in blood levels of a growth factor called GCSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factor) in mice. GCSF is greatly decreased in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and is demonstrated to improve memory in Alzheimer’s mice.
The researchers said this is not possible with other caffeine-containing drinks or decaffeinated coffee.
An increasing body of scientific literature indicates that moderate consumption of coffee also decreases the risk of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, Type II diabetes, and stroke. Recent studies have reported that drinking coffee in moderation may also significantly reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancers.
The researchers suggest that moderate daily coffee intake (4 to 5 cups a day) starting at least by middle age (30s–50s) is optimal for providing protection against Alzheimer’s disease, although from their studies, starting even in older age appears protective.
Ref.: Gary Arendash, et al., Caffeine Synergizes with Another Coffee Component to Increase Plasma GCSF: Linkage to Cognitive Benefits in Alzheimer’s Mice, Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 25(2), June 28, 2011
Comments (5)
by SuicidalWormPoo
4 or 5 cups a day? I couldn’t manage that. 1 or 2 is my maximum.
by Amara D. Angelica
Ningham: Decaf would presumably solve your problem, since the effect is not based on caffeine.
by ningham
Amara: Not caffeine per se but the interaction of the unknown ingredient in coffee with caffeine. Hence I am surmising decaffeinated would not show the same benefit.
by ningham
A great post thank you, but one that also poses a degree of confusion. I recently gave up coffee following adoption of the Transcend program, and without a doubt I do ‘feel’ better for it (I was a 6-7 cups a day man before this).
Herein lies the dilemma, on the one hand we get positive evidence suggesting we should drink 4-5 cups a day and on another foot advice to not drink coffee at all.
Some parity of thought from Ray between Transcend advice and above would be truly welcome.
by CoffeeAddict
Decaffeinated coffee still contains caffeine. since this article stated Decaf doesn’t work at a assumed rate of 4-5cups a day. I would assume larger volumes of decaf would ensure adequate levels of caffeine and this mystery ingredient. But then again – Why not just drink regular coffee?