咖啡因與認知健康：最新研究揭示其與阿茲海默症與心房顫動的關聯｜Caffeine and Cognitive Health: New Studies Reveal Links to Alzheimer’s and Atrial Fibrillation
咖啡因，一種廣泛存在於咖啡、茶、巧克力與能量飲料中的天然物質，一直以來都因其提神醒腦的效果備受關注。然而，近期的兩項研究揭示了咖啡因攝取與阿茲海默症及心房顫動患者的認知能力之間的關聯，進一步引發了人們對於咖啡是否有助於預防失智症的討論。
咖啡因攝取與阿茲海默症風險的關聯
一項發表於《阿茲海默症與癡呆症：阿茲海默症協會雜誌》的研究，分析了 263 名罹患輕度認知障礙或阿茲海默症患者的數據，發現咖啡因攝取量較低者，出現記憶喪失的風險更高。該研究將受試者分為兩組：
- 低咖啡因攝取量組（每日 ≤216 毫克）
- 高咖啡因攝取量組（每日 >216 毫克）
研究結果顯示，高咖啡因攝取組的記憶力下降風險較低。此外，攝取較少咖啡因的受試者，其血漿中的澱粉樣蛋白-β42（Aβ42）含量也較低，而這種蛋白質與阿茲海默症的發展息息相關。
科學家推測，咖啡因可能透過抑制澱粉樣蛋白的形成或促進大腦清除這些蛋白質來減少失智風險。然而，這些機制仍處於假設階段，尚需進一步驗證。值得注意的是，該研究屬於橫斷面研究，僅能顯示關聯性，並無法證明因果關係，因此未來需要更多隨機對照試驗來進一步探討咖啡因對認知健康的影響。
咖啡對心房顫動（AF）患者的認知影響
另一項由蘇黎世大學進行的研究則探討了咖啡對心房顫動患者的影響。該研究追蹤了 2,413 名平均年齡 73 歲的心房顫動患者，分析其咖啡攝取量與認知能力之間的關聯。結果顯示，
- 每日喝較多咖啡者 的 處理速度、視覺運動協調、注意力 測試得分較高，提升約 11%。
- 經常飲用咖啡者的認知年齡 比喝咖啡最少的人年輕 6.7 歲。
- 發炎標記物較低——每天喝 5 杯咖啡的受試者，其發炎標記物比每天喝不到 1 杯者低 20%。
這些結果顯示，咖啡可能有助於減少因心房顫動導致的認知退化風險，並未發現咖啡會加重心房顫動症狀。不過，該研究未能證明咖啡能有效預防長期認知退化，且研究時間較短（3 年），未能追蹤長期影響。
咖啡因對大腦健康的潛在影響與未來研究方向
雖然上述研究揭示了咖啡因可能與降低失智症風險有關，但仍需注意幾個關鍵點：
- 適量攝取可能有益，但過量可能帶來副作用——過量咖啡因可能導致焦慮、失眠或影響心血管健康。
- 攝取來源需注意——除了咖啡，茶、巧克力、能量飲料等也含有咖啡因，但有些飲品含有高糖或人工甜味劑，可能削弱咖啡因的潛在益處。
- 因果關係尚未確立——目前的研究只能顯示關聯性，並無法證明「喝咖啡可以預防阿茲海默症或認知退化」，因此仍需更長期的隨機對照試驗來確認。
結論：該不該多喝咖啡？
綜合這兩項研究，適量攝取咖啡可能有助於維持認知健康，特別是對於高風險族群（如心房顫動患者）。然而，目前並沒有確切證據顯示咖啡因能有效預防阿茲海默症或失智症，因此不應過度依賴咖啡作為預防手段。
如果你已經是咖啡愛好者，這些研究或許可以讓你更安心地享受每日的咖啡時光。但如果你不習慣喝咖啡，也不需要特意增加咖啡攝取量，保持均衡飲食與健康生活方式仍然是最關鍵的預防手段。
☕ 你今天喝咖啡了嗎？ 這杯咖啡，或許不只是為了提神，還可能對大腦健康有益呢！
文獻參考
🔗 Health.com 🔗 The Sun
Caffeine and Cognitive Health: New Studies Reveal Links to Alzheimer’s and Atrial Fibrillation
Caffeine, a natural substance commonly found in coffee, tea, chocolate, and energy drinks, has long been valued for its stimulating effects. However, two recent studies have explored its potential impact on cognitive health, specifically its relationship with Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive function in individuals with atrial fibrillation (AF). These findings have sparked further discussions on whether caffeine consumption could help prevent dementia.
The Link Between Caffeine Intake and Alzheimer’s Disease Risk
A study published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association analyzed data from 263 individuals diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease. The study found that those who consumed lower amounts of caffeine had a higher risk of memory loss. Participants were categorized into two groups:
- Low caffeine intake group (≤216 mg per day)
- High caffeine intake group (>216 mg per day)
Results indicated that individuals in the high caffeine intake group had a lower risk of cognitive decline. Additionally, those who consumed less caffeine exhibited lower levels of amyloid-beta 42 (Aβ42) in their plasma, a protein associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Scientists hypothesize that caffeine may inhibit the formation of amyloid plaques or promote the clearance of these proteins from the brain, potentially reducing dementia risk. However, these mechanisms remain theoretical and require further research. It is important to note that this study was cross-sectional, meaning it only identified correlations rather than causation. Future randomized controlled trials will be necessary to explore caffeine’s direct effects on cognitive health.
Caffeine’s Impact on Cognitive Function in Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Patients
Another study conducted by the University of Zurich examined caffeine’s effects on patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). The research tracked 2,413 AF patients with an average age of 73 to assess their caffeine consumption and cognitive performance. Findings revealed:
- Higher daily caffeine intake was linked to better processing speed, visuomotor coordination, and attention, with an improvement of approximately 11%.
- Regular coffee drinkers exhibited a cognitive age 6.7 years younger than those who consumed the least coffee.
- Lower inflammation markers—participants who drank five cups of coffee daily had 20% lower inflammation markers than those who drank less than one cup.
These results suggest that caffeine may help mitigate cognitive decline associated with atrial fibrillation, with no evidence that coffee exacerbates AF symptoms. However, the study did not confirm that caffeine can prevent long-term cognitive decline. The research duration was relatively short (three years), and longer follow-up studies are needed to determine sustained effects.
Potential Cognitive Benefits of Caffeine and Future Research Directions
Although these studies indicate a potential link between caffeine intake and reduced dementia risk, several key considerations remain:
- Moderate intake may be beneficial, but excessive consumption can have side effects—excess caffeine can lead to anxiety, insomnia, or cardiovascular issues.
- Caffeine sources matter—while coffee, tea, and chocolate contain caffeine, some beverages also include high amounts of sugar or artificial sweeteners, which may counteract caffeine’s potential benefits.
- Causation has not been established—current research only shows correlations. There is no definitive proof that drinking coffee can prevent Alzheimer’s disease or cognitive decline. Longer-term randomized controlled trials are needed.
Conclusion: Should You Drink More Coffee?
Based on these studies, moderate caffeine consumption may support cognitive health, particularly for high-risk groups such as individuals with atrial fibrillation. However, no conclusive evidence proves that caffeine can prevent Alzheimer’s or dementia, meaning coffee should not be relied upon as a sole preventive measure.
If you already enjoy coffee, these findings may reassure you that your daily cup could have cognitive benefits. However, if you do not typically consume caffeine, there is no need to start drinking coffee solely for potential brain health benefits. Maintaining a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle remains the most effective approach to cognitive health.
☕ Have you had your coffee today? Your cup of coffee might be doing more than just keeping you awake—it could be supporting your brain health too!
References
🔗 Health.com 🔗 The Sun
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