Dietary choices are undeniably linked to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, and research continues to explore foods and drinks that may either reduce or increase the risk.
Coffee, a widely consumed beverage, is often sweetened with honey or sugar to enhance its bitterness, but how does this affect your health? A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that drinking unsweetened coffee can lower the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
How much does unsweetened coffee reduce risk?
The study examined data obtained from the UK Biobank, involving over 2,00,000 participants aged 40 to 69 years. Researchers categorized coffee consumption into four groups; unsweetened coffee, sugar-sweetened coffee, artificially sweetened coffee, and non-coffee drinkers.
The result was remarkable. Participants who drank unsweetened coffee had a 29–30 per cent lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s, related dementias, and Parkinson’s diseases, compared to non-coffee drinkers. Moreover, these people also had a 43 per cent lower risk of dying from these conditions.
Neurodegenerative diseases are progressive diseases that impact memory, critical thinking, daily tasks, and eventually causing death. So the fatality of these diseases is also somewhat lowered. However, having sweetened coffee did not demonstrate similar protective benefits.
Similarly, decaf coffee also showed protective measures, reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases by 34-37 per cent, and lowering dying risks by 47 per cent.
Sugar in coffee has no value
Sugar is a major red flag, with health experts cautioning against its excessive consumption. Adding sweeteners to coffee may make it sweet and delicious, but has no real health benefits. Instead, by opting for unsweetened coffee, one can safeguard brain health and enhance longevity. Every dietary choice matters in the long run.
Source: Hindustan Times
Bd-pratidin English/Fariha Nowshin Chinika
