A new study into caffeine’s effects on dementia has discovered that 3-5 cups of coffee per day during middle age can cut the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by two thirds.

This research is the first of its kind to look into caffeine consumption before dementia appears rather than questioning sufferers on their intake which can prove unreliable.

Researchers from Sweden and Finland surveyed 1500 men and women in middle age about their tea and coffee drinking habits – 21 years later 61 people in the group were diagnosed with dementia.

After analysing the data. researchers found that people who had moderate coffee consumption were less likely to develop dementia. Tea drinkers were not found to improve their chances and the drink was not found to affect dementia risk.

The pros and cons of coffee are constantly debated with a recent report suggesting that drinking seven cups per day will increase the possibility of having hallucinations.

However, results from this recent study were seen as ‘exciting’ by the Alzheimer’s Society.

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