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Your coffee habit may be helping to protect your brain.
For years we’ve been told that caffeinated coffee was bad for us. It’s unhealthy and addictive, doctors warned. But as vindication for all who stuck by their energizing elixir, a new study shows that guzzling caffeinated coffee may actually be good for our brains. In fact, it may help keep Alzheimer’s at bay.
The study, which was published early online in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, was in mice whose DNA had been tweaked to contain a human Alzheimer’s gene. Just like humans with familial Alzheimer’s, these mice become increasingly forgetful as they age.
Amazingly, the equivalent of four to five cups of caffeinated coffee every few days led to much improved memories in the Alzheimer’s mice, says study co-author Gary Arendash, a scientist at the Florida Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in Tampa.
Earlier research by Arendash and his colleagues showed that caffeine could at least partially block the production of beta amyloid, the sticky protein that clogs the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. They also found that a substance called granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, or GCSF, sparked the production of new axons, the communication cables that link nerve cells together, as well as new nerve cells themselves.
What’s really interesting is that caffeinated coffee -- but not decaf -- boosted the production of GCSF.
For the new study, Arendash and his colleagues “treated” healthy mice and Alzheimer’s mice with either caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee. Then the researchers ran a test to see if either beverage led to better memories.
The test they used mimics one that is given to humans to diagnose Alzheimer’s. In that test, people are given a bag of objects to look through (we’ll call that Bag A). And then they’re shown another bag of objects (Bag B). Later on, they’re asked to remember what was in Bag A.
Studies have shown that people with Alzheimer’s have a tough time remembering what was in Bag A because the distraction of looking through the objects from Bag B gets in the way of storing the contents of A in their long term memories. That’s generally not a problem for people with healthy brains.
The two part mouse test involved water mazes. The mice has to find -- and remember -- the location of a submerged platform in a tub of water that is deep enough that they need to swim till they find the platform.
After they find the platform in one tub, they’re moved to another tub where they have to find yet another platform. Mice with Alzheimer’s generally have a tough time remembering the location of the first platform when they’re placed in the original tub. But in Arendash’s study, Alzheimer’s mice that got caffeinated coffee had memories that were just as good as those of normal mice.
Lest you dismiss this study because it’s just in rodents, Arendash says he’s got new data in humans. That data is still being analyzed, he says, but so far it looks like caffeinated coffee has the same impact in people as it does in mice.
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Every few days??? I drink four or five cups of caffeinated coffee before lunch - EVERY day. Study that.
<insane rantings>
Hmmm. Consuming an addictive substance that has considerable neurological and metabolic effects from its consumption actually has a benefit to our bodies for consuming it?!
WHAT WHAT WHAT?!
I wonder what other addictive substances exist that may have beneficial effects.
Too bad we're too busy legislating morality to find out...but at least we have designated legal loopholes for groups like Pfizer and Merk to develop and profit off of brand new addictive substances. At least those brand new substances aren't old like the old and dirty ones that they don't make.
Huray, I feel safer already! Remember kids, Just Say No! (unless it's caffiene or junkfood...and tobacco's ok as long as you're 18...oh and alcohol is ok so long as you're 21)
If God wanted you to smoke pot, He wouldn't have made it illegal! hehehehe
</insane rantings>
Anyway, bravo...I love coffee, I think I'll have some more!
Coffee does not affect humans with AD. My mom has drunk 2 to 3 cups every day for the past 60 years. She is now 78 years old and has advanced AD... more research is needed.
Love to see the recycling of news reports. Saw this same report what seems to be about a year ago or more.
Bemused by the comments that are either confused by supposedly conflicting research studies or opposed to research itself for some reason. To the first issue, isn't science by its nature a process of studying, studying, and studying again--testing hypotheses, amassing data, adding to our store of knowledge and understanding? To the second issue, don't we all benefit (and enhance our chances of survival) by funding as much disinterested, fundamental research as we can?
By the way, guys, who may tell me what does coffee buzz mean? Thanks~
It's a good thing that I don't have to worry about this, anyway. I'm never going to develop Al...Alz.....Alz......oh, hell, what was the name of that disease?
Incidentally, I apologize if I just offended anyone. I have a sense of humor about AD and other diseases, but I do not take catastrophic illnesses lightly. Three members of my Dad's clan have been diagnosed with AD so far; his older brother died of it several years ago. I worry about my 80 yo Dad and my cousins from time to time. I have also started watching myself closely, and my daughter has been advised as well.
LoL...just hook me up to a coffee IV. Way easier than doing this cup by cup thing. As far as it helping Alzheimer's? Eh...I think it may be a push to convince people to buy more coffee considering the poor crops lately & the increase in cost.
Eating fish once a week cuts your risk for Alzheimer's by 60%...I like those numbers better. However, they can keep coming up with excuses as to why coffee is good for me =)
Another "study" said coffee was bad for you just a couple of weeks ago. Remember the "studies" on wine? Bad---Good---Bad---Good
Hey scientist "study" this,(unzip pants) Scarcasm intended.
Saviour,
Every week a "study" is made at taxpayers expense, A week later another "study" refutes that study. On and On it goes. It was wine, then it was coffee. Now it is mammograms.
I am not confused by these studies I just want them to stop.
Go back to your little church and re-hang yourself.
So now studies say:
Coffee: Good!
Red Wine: Good!
We just need to have them state that occasional smoking is not bad and I will live to be 200!
Seriously...Over a coffee study! Maybe you should try drinking a little less...LOL
Are there that many of us who truly pay attention to any of these pieces of crap studies anymore??? I stopped years ago.
If either of you were half as smart as you think you are, you'd be capable of drawing the most rational of conclusions...which is this:
Just about everything on this planet has some good and some bad qualities.
Therefore, its logical that studies looking at different aspects of the same item, would come to differing opinions.
A study that shows that wine helps your ticker, and another that shows it screws up your liver...isnt contradicting at all.
coffee = good for Alzheimers, thats all THIS study is saying...it says nothing about coffee, overall, being good for you.
Huh? But the world is black and white!
I'd be interested in a study showing a correlation between basic intelligence and an ability to tolerate ambiguity. Simple minds seem to want only studies that give absolute, black-and-white results, and get confused and angry when studies reveal that the world is, in fact, complicated.
Dtd: I'm sorry the studies make your brain hurt. I find them illuminating and imminently useful, and a VERY good use of public money (when that is, in fact, how they are funded).
Of course, you tipped your hand. This isn't about your fear and distrust of science; it's about the one issue that matters to teabaggers (not necessarily saying you are one): Keep Yer Hands Offa Mah MUNNEH.
Same thing happened with eggs, and chocolate and now diet soda, is it good or bad for you, depends on which study and who you ask, main point being none of them have a clue.
Oh and BTW scientists, we are NOT RATS OR MICE. This has been proven time and time again.
Dave the doubter, you are suspended for a month for violating rule # 1 of the Code of Honor.
Last chance.
The Saviour banned. Re-reg of God- and others.
So, is it the coffee or the caffeine? It would seem the latter, since decaf doesn't work. Would that allow substitution of any caffeinated drink; soda? tea? How about caffeine in tablet form or a "patch?"
This is not clearly written - where's the blue greasepencil when it's needed??
agreed...id have preferred they run a few controls. some mice given coffee with caffeine, some with decaf, some given pure caffeine, some given no caffeine, some given pop with caffeine and some with pop without...and so on.
but thats called being thorough...and we just arent interested in doing that. the faster this guy can declare his small little study a success, the faster he'll be awarded another grant to pull off another half-assed study.
The researchers should have added a third group of mice given pure caffeine as the only other variable. I agree with Jessica-1170252 to a point but to many variables would confuse the results.
Hmmm, Starbucks as a medical write off. Works for me!
FAIL. StarF*cks has a ton of saturated fat and sugar in it, and it'll get you closer to diabetes, if anything.
Um, have you ever been to a Starbucks? If you have you would notice that there is more than one item on the menu. If you order a coffee or tea it has zero saturated fat or sugar unless you can't resist adding milk or sugar.
Also, you may need to work on understanding when someone has written a joke vs. a serious suggestion.
ScienceGal,
There is no indication that it was a joke, really. Moreover, health is too important to leave things unclear.
All the fat girls I know drink fattening drinks from Starbucks, and then they complain about how the diets don't work for them. No @!$%# they don't.
Actually skim-milk or half-and-half milk is not too bad. It has calcium which will inhibit fat absorption anyway. I'd blame the sugar far more. And the habit.
If you need coffee in the first few hours of the morning, odds are that you really need to work on your sleep. Personally even with just hour hours of sleep, I don't start drinking until after lunch.
AB-1981
you should be ashamed for how you are treating ScienceGal for what was obviously a joke. Science is important but dude you really need to tune into when people are serious and when they aren't. Everyone has feelings and you shouldn't be intentionally hurting someone's. That was how I was raised and how I hope other's were to. If you wouldn't want your mom to read what you are saying to people then maybe you shouldn't post it. Just saying I hate it when jerks attack others for what they don't understand or catch.
One of the first things I do in the morning is decide which bean I'm going to grind for morning coffee: 8 O'Clock's Bokar Blend, Copper Moon's French Vanilla, or a dark-roasted Kona blend.
I'm sure this study is as useless as most studies at ascertaining truth.
Maybe so, but not nearly as useless as your post. What are YOU doing to ascertain (scientific) truth?
Weren't they saying just a few months back that mammograms weren't effective and should not be covered by insurance or something to that effect? Yesterday there was an article saying that mammograms were practically the greatest thing since mammaries. . .
Yep - it was today:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/43560858/ns/health-cancer/
Headline says mammograms cut deaths by 1/3. That's not what they were saying a few months back. . .
That's because a while back when they tried to say mammograms aren't needed, they were trying to garner support for their stupid health care reform which will result in limited medical resources for people in the long run. Once they that rammed down our throats, they needed to start the "nobody really needs this care or that" stuff to support why it is ok that they are cutting $ to medical care for most taxpayers.
Wow November, you hit that nail right on the head.
November - you think that putting out studies showing mammograms arent AS EFFECTIVE at saving lives as originally thought, was an effort to gain support for healthcare reform by the white house?
what drugs do I have to smoke, inject, or snort to understand your logic?
You do realize that Insurance Companies could use these studies to push the govt to state mammograms arent recommended, and therefore Insurance companies wouldnt have to cover mammograms at a certain age...right?
So, who do you think wants mammograms not to be covered more?
The FOR PROFIT Insurance comapanies, who skim off 35% and still manage to deliver...by your account, I imagine, amazing care...arent compelled to do this, why would the govt...who would be operating at 3% overhead, be compelled to do this?
it makes little sense when you are working in reality, not blind hatred.
I KNEW it!!!! Going to get another cup now...
I think the key with these studies, folks, is that when one of them has determined that something you really like has health benefits, just don't read any more studies on it.
I've had my 5 cups of Coffee also, and things are looking a little fuzzy, and I can't remember if they said that study was with or without Kahlua.
drink coffee one week, and no coffee next week, repeat. Thats what there saying
I am self medicating at this very moment.
The most important ingredient that was not mentioned in these studies is "Do you consider that this patient HAS a brain, period!!"----------------what happened to that old saying "You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear!"
Nature is way too complex for piddly little human brains to figure. "Studies" have to have very narrowly-defined simple parameters or you can't draw any conclusions from it. So, the bottom line is: studies have minimal to do with real life. EAT WHAT YOU WANT.
That's why we typically restrict graduate science-program admission to people with normal-to-large human brains.
Tumeric contains a bunch of compounds called cucurmins. One of these cucurmin compounds has shown very interesting results in breaking up the plaques involved in Alzheimer's and research is ongoing into whether it can be developed as a treatment of people already suffering. Including a modest daily dose of tumeric powder in your food every week is a very good idea. Why? Because it costs very little to do and the benefits to you may be extraordinary (the irony being you'll never know if they are!) Helpful tip: while it tastes good in its own right blended with the right spices in a curry or as a seasoning, you can cheat by just throwing it into your omlets, scrambled eggs, and burritos where the flavor is largely undetectable...its good in chicken/egg salad too. You really dont have to go out of your way to cook daily meals with it.
I heart tumeric! I use it in chili and soups!
So, let's see; we have all the coffee we want to prevent Alzheimers while we die of strokes and heart attacks caused by high blood pressure which is, in turn caused by too much caffeine. Hmmmmm, a couple of years ago it was dark chocolate that was supposed to be "good" for your health. In reality eating too much chocolate, like every day for instance, inhibits calcium from being absorbed into the bones. I know this for a fact b/c 30 years ago I did eat too much chocolate and my knees went bad on me. One study said that red wine was good for you and another said that if pregnant women even had one drop of the stuff, their babies would be damaged for life. Granted there are pro's and con's to everything in life, but I agree, let's cease w/these useless studies that only try to "prove" that people can have their cake and eat it too and don't need an ounce of self control.
Back when I was in high school, one of my science teachers said you have to be very, very careful when doing a scientific study. He said that sometimes you get conflicting results for similar tests because the scientist sets out to prove or disprove something and they see what they want to see in the results. It doesn't make one study wrong and the other one right; it's just how the data is interpreted.
Personally, I think moderation in all things is good. Too much of a good thing can be bad. It might even be a "nature versus nurture" thing. Some people are more affected by outside influences, i.e., coffee, while others inherit problems and cannot change what will happen, only delay it.
Cant wait to get my next cup,it does work for me !!
yes, it has boasted my analyzing and thinking neurones, that controlled my stupid body of cannot decide of which is good or bad for all these complex scientific study.
As the daughter of an Alzheimer's victim, I laugh at these studies! My mother was an incredibly bright, active person who regularly drank coffee. So all the studies that say "keep your mind active to ward off Alzheimer's" and "exercise can prevent Alzheimer's" and "drinking coffee can save you from Alzheimer's" BULL! If any of these studies are to be believed, then my Mom should be an active, healthy woman. And she isn't. Scientists are no closer to figuring out what causes Alzheimer's today than they were 20 years ago. Not what causes it or how to treat it or how to prevent it. Until this disease gets the "full court press" of attention that AIDS has, it will continue to mow down its victims. It's a horrible, HORRIBLE disease.
Likewise, I know someone who drank coffee every single day of his life and he has full-blown Alzheimer's. Yesterday, he forgot his name.
Back to the test tubes!
I like a beer buzz better.
Me too, except for the calories.
Didn't work for my coffee loving father - Alzheimers has taken hold, but he still drinks his coffee.
I wish the conclusions of this "study" were true.
Ditto, my Dad fits your Mom to a "T". He has late stage 6.
Starbuck at Alzheimer's Center.
This is not a journalistic article or study. It is an advertorial. The writer, and the researchers, are shills for the coffee industry. The writer asserts that all of coffee's health problems are offset by a study that allegedly shows that coffee helps mice brains. I would say that the writer herself has a mouse brain, except that the part of her brain that produces propaganda is functioning very well.
I have exercised every single day, taken vitamins and supplements including resveratrol. I never take the elevator - only the stairs. I get plenty of sleep. I drink water as opposed to soft drinks. A fish item is constantly on my dinner plate every night. I have never smoked or taken drugs of any kind and have never had a drink (of alcohol). I practically live in a Starbucks.
With all of that said, I could not tell you the names of any of my relatives. I have advanced HIV; have been sterile for 40 years, and cats mysteriously faint if they are in the same room. I have a horrible case of acne and I don’t recall anything that happened in the 1980’s. I have a rotary phone. My eyesight is almost gone I have been told that I have only a few weeks left to live.
I am really upset about the rotary phone part.
Can I have that phone? The people selling them on ebay are apparently pretty proud of them.
Willie, sorry to hear that you lived your life as healthy as you did and in the end, your memory is impaired, you have HIV, cats experiencing syncope when they're in your presence, acne..etc....Hopefully, this a joke posting, if not God bless you!!!!!