Overview

Moderate coffee consumption is typically defined as 3-5 cups per day, based on the European Food Safety Authority’s review of caffeine safety²⁴.

In the case of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), research points to an inverse association between lifelong coffee consumption and the risk of developing this condition^24-35. However, as research in this area is still limited, further studies are required.  A number of studies have suggested that caffeine may be involved in the observed effect^36-41, but other coffee constituents such as trigonelline^42-44 and polyphenols^45-46 are also of interest.

Epidemiological studies also suggest an inverse association between coffee consumption and the risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease (PD)^47-63. Research has indicated that caffeine may be involved in the potential preventative effect coffee consumption has on PD^54,64-67. Caffeine may play a role by antagonising adenosine A2A receptors. Such antagonists are thought to have neuroprotective properties^54,68-70.

Several human studies have also reported that coffee consumption may have a protective effect on the risk of stroke^71-76, especially in women⁷².

The content in this Overview was last edited in August 2019. Papers in the Latest Research section and further resources are added regularly.