JAMA

Moderate coffee and tea intake linked to lower dementia risk

February 10, 2026

In a prospective cohort study of >131,000 adults followed for up to 43 years, higher intake of caffeinated coffee was associated with a lower risk of dementia and better cognitive trajectories. The lowest risk was observed with about 2 to 3 cups/day, with no additional benefit at higher intakes. Tea consumption (≈1–2 cups/day) was also associated with reduced dementia risk, while decaffeinated coffee showed no association. Results were consistent across two large U.S. health professional cohorts, though causality cannot be established.

Clinical takeaway: For patients who already consume caffeinated beverages, maintaining moderate daily intake may offer small but meaningful cognitive health benefits.

Source:

Zhang Y, et al. (2026, February 9). JAMA. Coffee and Tea Intake, Dementia Risk, and Cognitive Function. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41661604/