Coffee may cut the risk of dementia by blocking the damage cholesterol can inflict on the body, research suggests.
The drink has already been linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer's Disease, and a study by a US team for the Journal of Neuroinflammation may explain why.
A vital barrier between the brain and the main blood supply of rabbits fed a fat-rich diet was protected in those given a caffeine supplement.
UK experts said it was the "best evidence yet" of coffee's benefits.
The "blood brain barrier" is a filter which protects the central nervous system from potentially harmful chemicals carried around in the rest of the bloodstream.
Other studies have shown that high levels of cholesterol in the blood can make this barrier "leaky".
Alzheimer's researchers suggest this makes the brain vulnerable to damage which can trigger or contribute to the condition.
The University of North Dakota study used the equivalent to just one daily cup of coffee in their experiments on rabbits.
After 12 weeks of a high-cholesterol diet, the blood brain barrier in those given caffeine was far more intact than in those given no caffeine.
'Safe drug'
"Caffeine appears to block several of the disruptive effects of cholesterol that make the blood-brain barrier leaky," said Dr Jonathan Geiger, who led the study.
"High levels of cholesterol are a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, perhaps by compromising the protective nature of the blood brain barrier.
"Caffeine is a safe and readily available drug and its ability to stabilise the blood brain barrier means it could have an important part to play in therapies against neurological disorders."
A spokesman for the Alzheimer's Disease Society said that the study shed "important light" on why previous research had showed benefits for drinking coffee.
"This is the best evidence yet that caffeine equivalent to one cup of coffee a day can help protect the brain against cholesterol.
"In addition to its effect on the vascular system, elevated cholesterol levels also cause problems with the blood brain barrier.
"This barrier, which protects the brain from toxins and infections, is less efficient prior to brain damage caused by Alzheimer's disease or strokes."
She called for more research into whether the same effect could be seen in humans.
Ashur wrote:Linked articles also said "ASHUR, LOSE WEIGHT FATBOY OR IT WON'T MATTER!"
A diet of only coffee for a few weeks should cure that!
That, and that annoying breathing problem.
anyway, maybe I'll start drinking coffee again. I just hate making it.
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Lalanae wrote:
That, and that annoying breathing problem.
anyway, maybe I'll start drinking coffee again. I just hate making it.
I received a pod coffee maker as an Xmas gift two years ago. You can't make all the fancy flavors but making either one cup or two cups takes like 90 seconds. Turn it on, wait about 15 seconds for it to flash ready, hit the button and you can make 1/2 cups (6 or 9oz) of coffee/cappuccino/tea. Cleaning is easy, just drop the coffee packet/pod in the trash and you're done. Fill water tank every three days or so. At the end of the brewing process (only take one minute to make a cup or dual cups at same time) the thing blasts hot steam through the pipes to clean them out.
Great for the lazy and for those that want their cup of coffee as fast and easy as possible without cleanup.
Fucking philistine. Fresh ground beans and a French press are the only way to make really good coffee.
"There is at least as much need to curb the cruel greed and arrogance of part of the world of capital, to curb the cruel greed and violence of part of the world of labor, as to check a cruel and unhealthy militarism in international relationships." -Theodore Roosevelt
masteen wrote:Fucking philistine. Fresh ground beans and a French press are the only way to make really good coffee.
Didn't say it was good coffee, I said it was fast coffee!
I'm not overly concerned with fruit cake Starbucks favors. I just want the caffeine. I drown out whatever brand coffee I'm drinking with milk and sugar anyway.
If you're into the exotic coffee, pod coffee isn't for you (although you can make your own pods pretty easy)
The University of North Dakota study used the equivalent to just one daily cup of coffee in their experiments on rabbits.
I'm sure as with everything else moderation is the key. Don't be one of those people who drinks a whole pot of coffee in the belief that it will make you healthier as I'm sure that's probably not the case. Although I don't have a study to back me up on that...
Its benefits don't always outweigh the negatives. If I drink caffeine during the day, even just 1 drink, I cannot sleep until like 3 AM. I have to stay away from that shit to keep a normal sleeping schedule. Then again, I am prone to insomnia.
i also need coffee and hate making it. i found my balance with a funnel that sits on top of the cup that you put a #2 filter into along with as much grounds as you want. you then put in water at whatever temperature you want. done.
cleanup is dumping the filter into the trash and washing out the funnel with water.
its definitely the fastest way to make a good single. also, using pods is a deadly sin
pods are both more expensive and have less taste than other kinds of coffee.
It was a gift damnit! I'm obligated to use this thing for awhile. It is really fast although I never had an issue with making normal coffee. Not that time consuming really.
Best to cut back on coffee to one cup or so and supplement with cacao!
