Does Drinking Coffee Affect Risk of Dementia?

Summary: Yes, drinking coffee can affect risk of dementia. A new study reported on data from a large group of older adults collected over a period of 40 years, from middle age to older age, and identified connections between caffeine consumption and dementia risk.

Key Points:

• Recent research reassessed global risk of dementia, adjusting previous estimates of general risk up by over 200% for men and nearly 100% for women.
• Dementia is associated with decreased quality of life and significant disruption in daily function.
• While most people develop dementia after age 65, it can develop earlier
• Significant risk of dementia begins at around age 55

New Study: Drinking Coffee and Risk of Dementia

In the study “Coffee and Tea Intake, Dementia Risk, and Cognitive Function,” researchers analyzed results from 131,821 middle-aged and older adults, with data collected over an average of 40 years, from about age 45 to about age 85, in order to answer the question:

“Is long-term intake of caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee associated with risk of dementia and cognitive outcomes?”

In this article, we’ll review the results of this study. First, however, we’ll take a moment to discuss the basic facts about dementia. We’ll share the latest reliable information on symptoms, causes, risk factors, complications, prevalence, and overall risk.

First, a definition.

What is Dementia?

The World Health Organization (WHO) offers this excellent definition of dementia:

“Dementia is a syndrome that can be caused by diseases which over time destroy nerve cells and damage the brain, typically leading to deterioration in cognitive function (i.e. the ability to process thought) beyond what might be expected from the usual consequences of biological ageing. While consciousness is not affected, the impairment in cognitive function is commonly accompanied, and occasionally preceded, by changes in mood, emotional control, behavior, or motivation.”

The report “2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures” identifies the following symptoms of dementia.

Dementia: Primary Symptoms

• Trouble with memory
• Language and problem‐solving
• Difficulty concentrating
• Problems understanding others
• Difficulty expressing thoughts
• Confusion/disorientation
• Getting lost easily/losing way while driving
• Poor judgment
• Impulsivity
• Irritability
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations

It’s easy to see why dementia can cause problems in several key areas of life. We’ll discuss complications associated with dementia below.

Now we’ll review the known causes of dementia.

Research shows that changes in the structure and function of the brain cause dementia, and that various physical and mental conditions are associated with the onset of dementia symptoms.

Dementia: Primary Causes

• Alzheimer’s disease
• Cerebrovascular disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Various degenerative pathologies

Next, the risk factors.

Dementia: Primary Risk Factors

• Age
• Family history of dementia
• Cardiovascular disease and risks:
  • Obesity
  • High blood pressure
  • High LDL (low-density lipoprotein)
  • Diabetes
• Lifestyle factors:
  • Poor diet
  • Smoking
  • Excess alcohol consumption
• Hearing loss
• Air pollution
• Traumatic brain injury

Next, the complications associated with the presence of dementia.

Dementia: Significant Complications

• Poor nutrition due to decreased eating
• Increased risk of pneumonia
• Decreased ability to engage in self-care
• Decreased ability to manage essential daily needs
• Risk of accidents associated with activities like cooking, driving, and walking

Finally, we’ll share the latest data on dementia prevalence and estimated risk.

Prevalence of Dementia

Source: Centers for Disease Control (CDC) National Health Statistics Reports, Number 203, June 13, 2024

• Over age 65: 4%
  • Men: 3.8%
  • Women: 4.2%
• Age 65-74: 1.7%
• Age 75-84: 5.7%
• Over age 85: 13.1%

It’s important to note that in recent years, estimates of depression risk have increased. Previously, experts agreed risk of developing dementia was between 11% and 14% for men and 19% to 23% for women. However, a new reassessment of the evidence, reported in the study “Lifetime Risk and Projected Burden of Dementia,” shows a far higher overall risk.

Risk of Dementia by Age and Race: New Data

• At age 55, total: 42%
  • Men: 35%
  • Women: 48%
  • Black: 44%
  • White: 41%
• Age 65, total: 45%
  • Men: 38%
  • Women: 51%
  • Black: 49%
  • White: 44%
• Age 75, total: 52%
  • Men: 45%
  • Women: 57%
  • Black: 58%
  • White: 50%

 

With this greater knowledge and understanding of dementia in mind – the symptoms, causes, risk factors, complications, prevalence, and estimated risk – let’s take a look at the data in the study on coffee we introduce above and learn whether drinking coffee can affect risk of dementia, either positively or negatively.

Drinking Coffee and Dementia Risk: New Study, New Data

The researchers collected data on daily consumption of caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated coffee, and caffeinated tea, every 2-4 years through validated food consumption surveys. Consumption was divided into low (1-2 cups of coffee or tea), medium (2-3 cups of caffeinated coffee/tea), and high levels (3+ cups caffeinated coffee/tea), then correlated with scores on standard metrics for dementia and cognitive function.

Here’s what they found:

• Higher caffeinated coffee intake was significantly associated with:
  • Lower dementia risk: 28% decreased risk, compared to low consumption
  • Lower prevalence of cognitive decline: 15% decreased prevalence
  • better objective cognitive performance.
• Compared to low consumption, people with high consumption scored 11% higher on tests of cognitive function
• High tea consumption showed similar cognitive scores as those for coffee

Overall, researchers found that as coffee or tea intake increased, dementia risk decreased and cognitive decline decreased. In addition, the data showed the following:

“Decaffeinated coffee intake was not associated with lower dementia risk or better cognitive performance.”

Here’s how the study authors characterize their findings:

“Greater consumption of caffeinated coffee and tea was associated with lower risk of dementia and modestly better cognitive function, with the most pronounced association at moderate intake levels.”

We’ll discuss these results further, below.

Drinking Coffee and Dementia Risk: Drink 2 Cups, Hold the Decaf

Modern medical science is filled with many wonders. We stay healthy longer, we can cure or manage diseases that used to claim millions of lives, and as a result, we live longer lives. In 1875, average life expectancy was around 40 years. By 1900, it increased to 48 years. In 1925, life expectancy was around 60 years, and by 1950, it increased to around 65-70 years, and in the present day, a healthy adult without any significant health complications can expect to live close to 80 years.

While these extra years of life are a gift, they also present problems: we live long enough now for our bodies to begin to fail, and long enough that issues like dementia and cognitive decline become real issues that degrade our overall quality of life.

In 1875, with a life expectancy of around 40, dementia wasn’t an issue. In 2026, when we can expect to live twice as long, dementia is a real issue.

That’s why this study is important: if we can reduce dementia risk by consistently drinking at least two cups of caffeinated coffee or tea a day, that’s an easy lifestyle fix that people can implement immediately.