How Caffeine Reduces Alzheimer's Clumps in The Brain

It’s not just a pick-me-up. Without it, your brain may age faster than you think.

How Caffeine May Help You Lower the Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease

You may not think twice about that cup of coffee you reach for each morning, but research now suggests it could be doing more than giving you a boost. A new study shows that moderate caffeine consumption may help reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s disease by influencing critical brain biomarkers found in your spinal fluid.

What the Research Found

Researchers in France examined data from individuals over the age of 70 who had either mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease. The study ran between 2010 and 2015 and included 263 participants. You would have undergone a baseline clinical evaluation and filled out a comprehensive dietary survey if you were part of this study. This survey tracked your intake of caffeine from sources like coffee, tea, chocolate, and soda.

In addition to your diet, you would have had MRI scans and provided samples of blood and cerebrospinal fluid. From this data, researchers sorted participants into two groups. If you consumed just over 200 milligrams of caffeine per day, you would fall into the low-caffeine group. Consuming more than that placed you in the high-caffeine group. The difference is roughly equivalent to drinking one or two cups of coffee a day versus several.

Caffeine Intake and Cognitive Function

Here’s what the researchers found. If you were in the low-caffeine group, you were nearly 2.5 times more likely to have mild cognitive impairment with memory loss or Alzheimer’s disease. The team observed that lower caffeine intake correlated with a higher risk of these diagnoses.

When scientists examined the cerebrospinal fluid of participants, they discovered notable differences in specific beta-amyloid proteins. If you consumed less caffeine, you had lower levels of Aβ42 and lower Aβ42 to Aβ40 ratios. You also had a lower ratio of Aβ42 to ptau-181, a form of tau protein. These protein patterns are associated with greater clumping of beta-amyloid in the brain, which is a biological signature of Alzheimer’s disease.

Caffeine’s Relationship With Tau Protein Still Unclear

While caffeine appeared to influence beta-amyloid biomarkers, it did not significantly impact levels of tau protein. Tau also accumulates in the brain as Alzheimer’s progresses. Some lab research suggests caffeine may reduce tau tangling activity, but it remains uncertain whether this effect occurs in actual Alzheimer’s patients.

What This Means for You

This study only gives a snapshot of caffeine habits in older adults and does not clarify how your lifelong caffeine use may influence dementia risk. However, it adds to the growing body of evidence that your daily caffeine consumption may offer neurological benefits.

Still, how and when you consume caffeine matters. Drinking it late in the day could impair your sleep, which in turn affects brain health. If your caffeine comes from chocolate or energy drinks, the added sugar may counteract any benefits by increasing your risk of cognitive decline.

Your Call to Action for Caffeine and Alzheimer’s Disease Prevention

If you want to support your brain health for the long term, consider how your caffeine habits fit into your daily routine. A regular morning cup of coffee, a midday tea, or a square of dark chocolate may offer more than a moment of comfort. These small choices could support healthier brain aging and reduce your risk of cognitive decline. But timing is key. Avoid caffeine late in the day, limit sugar-laden options, and make your caffeine intake a balanced part of a brain-supportive lifestyle.

Study Links: