Cups of coffee can halt Alzheimer's

TWO strong coffees a day can help reverse Alzheimer’s, according to research just published.

However, as with all food stories, there are no guarantees: the research has, so far, only looked at mice.

The study shows that caffeine in coffee can help reverse the build-up of a protein called beta-amyloid which is known to clog up and damage the brain cells causing mice (and people) to lose memory and faculties.

Mice were given doses of caffeine equivalent to around five cups of coffee and the researchers found levels of beta-amyloid were halved.

The researchers also discovered that after several months the mice had regained their full faculties again.

Long-term studies have already shown that people who drink two or three cups of coffee a day are less likely to get Alzheimer’s – but there may be social reasons for this, not just the caffeine in the coffee.

The results of the study were revealed at the 19th World Congress of Gerontology and Geriatrics in Paris.
Photo: Julius Schorzman