by Colleen Ranney

Created on: January 29, 2009

In 2006 my Grandma Ruth passed away from Alzheimer' disease. I have always prayed for the day researchers would learn a way to cure this disease. It seem they have not given up and just recently released their may an important detail about drinking coffee that may protect the onset of this disease.

In January 2009 new developments have come along revealing that.

One researchers discovering coffee as the barrier that protects the nervous system from having harmful chemicals that may be in the bloodstream. Scientists have discovered that high amounts of cholesterol in the brain increase the risk of Alzheimer's/Dementia. This research was done by giving rabbits the equivalent amount of caffeine in one cup of coffee. This actually proved to strengthen that barrier.

Alzheimer's/Dementia are a disorder of the brain. This disorder makes it difficult for the sufferer to learn and suffer from memory loss, impaired judgment, reasoning and changes in ones moods. In the case of my grandmother Alzheimer's took her life.
One study was done through the 1970s and 1980s by a group of 1400 patients who participated in health surveys. This was conducted at a time when the effects of long term use of caffeine on ones nervous system was unknown.

- After a study of a selected group of long term coffee drinkers who drank 3-5 cups a day were 65% less likely to develop Dementia
Caffeine is proven to stimulate the brain and increase awareness. While these studies are yet new and still continuing it may very well be part the stimulation and increased awareness is equivalent to using your brain. There are things we can do to help our brains remain healthy, like learning new things and socializing, even better have coffee with a friend. Mental activity can actually generate new brain cells.

Researchers say they have some idea how this all works biologically but still have a lot to understand when it comes to how caffeine can affect the brain. They are currently looking at the differences in how caffeine affects both male and female I think for now I will stick to having a cup of coffee anyways and will continue to hope one day soon a cure will be found.
Published in the Journal of Neuroscience researches say not only can caffeine help protect one from Dementia it may actually aide those who are already diagnosed.

There are ways to keep your brain healthy. A Healthy Diet is something we must habit towards to protect from any disease. Eat lots of dark-skinned fruits and foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids like nuts. Nuts also contain Vitamin E. There are also Hazel Nut coffees, what a brilliant combination.

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