A landmark meta-analysis spanning over 450,000 participants and 11.5 years of follow-up has revealed a nuanced relationship between coffee consumption and dementia risk that defies simple dietary advice. Researchers from the Journal of Epidemiology and Population Health found that the protective effect of coffee follows a non-linear, U-shaped curve—peak protection emerges at 2 to 3 cups daily, but excessive intake reverses these benefits. Notably, the timing of coffee consumption matters: midlife exposure appears to offer stronger cognitive protection than late-life habits. While observational evidence consistently supports moderate consumption, researchers caution that causation remains unproven, and unmeasured confounding factors could influence results. This complexity underscores why personalised, evidence-informed approaches to dietary interventions are essential. Read the full article on GMJ Newsroom.
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