Coffee, Tea Linked to Lower Dementia Risk
Caffeinated beverages were associated with modest cognitive benefits in long-term study
By
Kerri Miller
February 9, 2026
Clinical Scorecard: Coffee, Tea Linked to Lower Dementia Risk
At a Glance
Category Detail
Condition Dementia Key Mechanisms Caffeinated coffee and tea consumption linked to lower dementia risk and improved cognitive function. Target Population Adults, particularly those aged 75 years or younger. Care Setting Community-based cohort studies.
Key Highlights
2-3 cups of caffeinated coffee or 1-2 cups of tea daily associated with lower dementia risk. Highest quartile coffee drinkers had 0.82 times the likelihood of dementia compared to lowest quartile. Tea drinkers in the highest tertile had 0.86 times the likelihood of dementia compared to lowest tertile. No significant association found with decaffeinated coffee. Inverse associations stronger in participants aged 75 years or younger. Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
Monitor cognitive function through questionnaires and neuropsychological tests. Management
Encourage moderate consumption of caffeinated coffee and tea. Monitoring & Follow-up
Assess cognitive decline and dementia incidence through regular follow-ups. Risks
Potential misclassification of dementia due to reliance on self-reported diagnoses. Patient & Prescribing Data
131,821 participants from NHS and Health Professionals Follow-up Study.
Moderate intake of caffeinated beverages is associated with cognitive benefits.
Clinical Best Practices
Promote dietary habits that include moderate caffeine consumption. Consider individual patient factors such as age and genetic predisposition. References
