Caffeine May Be Linked To Better Cognitive Aging

A 2026 study published in JAMA reports caffeine may have a protective effect against dementia and other forms of cognitive decline. In a large prospective cohort study of 131,821 US adults followed for up to 43 years, researchers examined whether long-term consumption of caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and tea was associated with dementia risk and cognitive performance. Participants were drawn from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and were free of cancer, Parkinson disease, and dementia at baseline. Over the follow-up period, 11,033 cases of dementia were documented. After adjusting for demographic, lifestyle, and health-related factors, higher intake of caffeinated coffee was associated with a significantly lower risk of dementia.

Individuals in the highest category of caffeinated coffee consumption had 141 cases of dementia per 100,000 person-years compared with 330 cases in the lowest category, corresponding to an 18 percent lower relative risk. Higher caffeinated coffee intake was also associated with a lower likelihood of self-reported cognitive decline and modestly better performance on objective cognitive tests, although not all cognitive measures reached statistical significance. Tea consumption showed similar patterns. In contrast, decaffeinated coffee was not associated with reduced dementia risk or improved cognitive outcomes. The strongest associations were observed at moderate intake levels, approximately two to three cups of caffeinated coffee or one to two cups of tea per day. Overall, the authors suggest that moderate consumption of caffeinated beverages may be linked to more favorable cognitive aging.