New study suggests drinking coffee may lower Parkinson's risk
9:32 AM EDT, May 28, 2024
Nearly one million people suffer from this disease in the United States alone. Meanwhile, the results of a new, large-scale study present intriguing hypotheses and further questions. Could this condition have been avoided by regularly drinking coffee?
Parkinson's disease is characterized by the degeneration of brain structures, resulting in slow movement, muscle stiffness, and tremors. The cause? Currently, medicine cannot provide a definitive answer to this question. One thing is sure: humanity has yet to discover how to cure this disease.
Recently, the findings of a 13-year study were published in the scientific journal Neurology. In this study, scientists observed more than 184,000 patients. Based on their lifestyles and medical histories, they made an extraordinary hypothesis that could significantly disrupt modern medicine. According to the researchers, drinking coffee reduces the risk of developing Parkinson's disease.
Drinking coffee and Parkinson's disease
We have often discussed the beneficial effects of drinking coffee on the human body. As long as it is consumed in moderation, coffee can be beneficial. However, the results of this 13-year study are shocking.
It was found that the risk of developing Parkinson's disease in 25 percent of the most frequent coffee drinkers was 40 percent lower compared to those who did not drink coffee at all. Among all coffee consumers in the study, the measured risk reduction ranged from about 5 to 63 percent, depending on the country.
According to the doctors who conducted this cohort study, coffee's impact on Parkinson's disease prevention may be due to its ability to maintain the dopamine flow to the brain. Dopamine levels are drastically reduced in individuals with Parkinson's disease.
The study results were summarized with hopeful words:
"Unraveling the biological action of caffeine on Parkinson's disease not only carries important public health implications but also enhances our understanding of Parkinson's disease etiology and fosters potential prevention strategies".
