Scientists have discovered espresso coffee reduces the risk of developing dementia.
That's according to a new study conducted by a team of scientists at Verona University. The research suggests that consuming just one espresso a day could have a significant impact on reducing the risk of developing dementia, particularly Alzheimer's.
The compounds found in espresso actively break down proteins which are known to accumulate in the brains of people with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's. In this way, they prevent the damage these proteins inflict on neurons and the subsequent cognitive decline, reports the Mirror.
Lead researcher Professor Mariapina D'Onofrio said: "Whether enjoyed on its own or mixed into a latte, Americano or even a martini, espresso provides an ultra-concentrated jolt of caffeine to coffee lovers.
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"But it might do more than just wake you up. Espresso compounds can inhibit tau protein aggregation - a process that is believed to be involved in the onset of Alzheimer's disease."
The study revealed that around 96 per cent of Italians consume espresso on a daily basis, indicating a potential dietary habit that may contribute to the lower prevalence of dementia in certain regions.
Another key study in Florida, this one published in 2012, followed people with mild cognitive impairment such as thinking and memory problems beyond normal ageing, and monitored their caffeine levels and their cognitive ability over the next two to four years. The researchers found that people who did not develop dementia had twice as much caffeine in their blood as those who did.
However, according to the Alzheimer's society, often theses studies cannot be relied on for a definitive answer. There is no way of determining if the caffeine levels affected dementia or if it is the other way round.
Sleeping problems brought on by dementia might cause someone to give up caffeine, for example. The results cannot distinguish between cause and effect.
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