I Really Enjoy My Morning Cup of Coffee…but Maybe I Should Reconsider

Add comment July 25th, 2008

  Brian J. Knabe, MD

I fully admit that I am addicted to coffee.  I need a cup or two to get started in the morning, and I usually have another cup or two during the afternoon.  I can anticipate a caffeine-withdrawal headache to set in by late morning if I have not yet consumed a couple cups.  So, it is with a wary eye that I read about a recent article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.  The article does not discourage coffee intake, but it suggests that tea may indeed be a healthier alternative.

The article in the July issue notes that numerous studies have associated tea with a variety of health benefits, including the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and cancer.  Although the findings are somewhat inconsistent, most studies appear to support the positive effects of tea.  The study reported in the article examined the possible effect of tea consumption on “cognitive impairment and cognitive decline”.  In the US alone, it is estimated that as many as 4 million individuals have Alzheimer’s dementia.  This number seems poised to grow as more Americans enter the 65+ age group which is more prone to developing the disease. 

The study examined over 2500 individuals, and it concluded that there was a positive relationship between the amount of tea consumption and the protection against cognitive decline.  The most benefit was noted with the consumption of black tea, but green tea also seemed to have a beneficial effect.  It is noteworthy that the benefit affected men and women alike, as well as both older and younger seniors.  While this study did not directly measure the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia, the authors suggest that further studies should look at the impact of tea on the incidence and progression of AD.

I don’t know if I’m ready to give up my morning coffee, but maybe I should switch to black tea in the afternoon.