This Morning Ritual Has a Surprising Brain Benefit

If you enjoy two cups of coffee or tea in the morning to get your day started, you might be delighted to learn that it can ward off dementia. But there's a catch. To get the long-lasting benefits, you have to drink caffeinated coffee or tea.

Studying People Over Decades

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) studied 131,821 people in two groups over 40 years to compare the cognitive function of those who drank caffeinated beverages and those who drank decaf. The caffeinated group fared better in cognitive tests over time. The findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

In conclusion, the researchers said that caffeine may reduce the risk of dementia, but not for people who have a genetic risk for Alzheimer's and other memory diseases.

Enjoy in Moderation

And more doesn't mean better. Just a cup or two is all you need per day. Your body can only metabolize so much caffiene and more than a moderate amount can make you feel anxious or jittery.