Consumption of these common beverages is beneficial.
Having a cup of coffee or tea first thing in the morning can be beneficial to your health in various ways. While both coffee and tea have been linked to a lower chance of acquiring some chronic conditions and have even been linked to weight loss, a new study has linked the two beverages to a lower risk of stroke or dementia.
The cohort study, published in PLOS Medicine, looked at the coffee intake of 365,000 people from the UK Biobank. Participants were between the ages of 50 and 74 at the time of the study, which took place between 2006 and 2020.
Researchers looked at the links between coffee and tea consumption and stroke and dementia in the study, as well as other health factors such as BMI, physical activity, alcohol and smoking status, diet pattern, sugary beverage consumption, cholesterol levels, and any history of disease such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, and hypertension.
Each study participant was followed for a median of 11.4 years, during which time it was discovered that drinking 2 to 3 cups of coffee or 3 to 5 cups of tea per day (or a mix of the two, between 4 and 6 cups) was connected to a lower risk of stroke or dementia. The risk of stroke was reduced by 32%, while the chance of dementia was reduced by 28%. These figures were compared to individuals who drank less tea or coffee.
The study also discovered that tea and coffee consumption could help people recover from post-stroke dementia (PSD). According to Lancet, the likelihood of acquiring dementia after a stroke is around 30%, and the chance of developing it increases from 7% after one year to 48% after 25 years.
According to the study, participants had a decreased probability of poststroke dementia diagnosis when they drank 3 to 6 cups of coffee or tea per day.
Although numerous factors can play a role in such a large study (especially one that is examined over a lengthy period), certain studies have supported the idea that coffee and tea consumption can help reduce the risk of stroke. One study published in the European Society of Cardiology found that drinking three cups of coffee per day can reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease. In contrast, another study published in Preventive Nutrition and Food Science found a link between green tea consumption and a lower risk of stroke in men over 40.
So, enjoy that morning cup of coffee or that afternoon cup of tea—or both! —to reduce your risk of stroke and dementia as you grow older.