To Fight MS, Drink Four Cups of Coffee a Day?
Ready to fight MS? Well, you can start first thing every day. So, how do you start your day — a coffee maybe, or a great cup of tea? Tea is my choice but I also enjoy a magnificent cup of Spanish coffee.
According to a number of recent studies, coffee and tea could keep your brain healthy and provide protection from multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and depression.
Drinking four to six cups of coffee a day is associated with a lower risk of MS, as is drinking a high amount of coffee over five to 10 years. According to researchers, “Caffeine has neuroprotective properties and seems to suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.”1
This is good news, at least for everyone who drinks that many cups of coffee each day. Of course, there are side effects associated with drinking coffee, like insomnia, irritability, muscle tremors, and more. However, if consumed responsibly, coffee as well as tea seem to have several health benefits.
Fight MS, and smell the aroma
News from Japan says that the simple aroma of particular coffee beans increases the alpha waves in the brain, which are associated with relaxation and meditation. The study also found that coffee can improve productivity and focus. You can read more about that here.
And you can slightly lower risk of depression by drinking coffee according to another study from the National Institutes of Health in the U.S.
Scientific American reports that some studies suggest that coffee and tea drinkers have lower rates of cognitive decline, too, but the evidence is mixed. It cites a study that was published last June in Neurobiology of Aging, where the researchers supplemented the diets of rats with a component of coffee. They found that the animals’ brains were shielded against the changes that take place which are typical of Alzheimer’s sufferers. They also talk about a 2013 study in which the same compound was found to have protective effects against Parkinson’s disease in mouse models.
Does this mean that, as a tea and coffee drinker, I am looking after my health? I’d probably not be so bold to claim that based on the evidence so far, but can see that this deserves further investigation so that researchers can tell us more about a drink that has always been used to keep us awake or to gain a swift energy boost.
1 American Academy of Neurology 67th Annual Meeting Abstract
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Comments
Jan-Michael
I agree this is worth studying was it may not be the caffeine but the continuous stimulation of the brain; and stimulation can be made in other ways than caffeine. I definitely as a person with PPMS do well on coffee but more than 2 cups makes may jittery. An Espresso with biscotti give me a clear mind and does not keep me awake. I am happier as a retire and is the the strong but small amount of liquid or biscotti added to keep my brain clear happy and able to thereby embrace sleep well. It works so I am going to go with the Espresso and biscotti as it works for me. Will follow the studies!
Hi Jan-Michael, thanks for commenting. There's plenty of caffeine in Espresso. Enjoy.
Grace Wilson
I love both of your reviews and comments. I was diagnosed with MS in June 2015....I'm doing very well, and believe it's possible that caffeine does help me also.
Kelley
Coffee is BAD for MS!! It wears out your adrenal glands and it feeds the candida overgrowth that causes it. How irresponsible is this?!
Caffeine feeds candida, ugh!
snake
thank you
Brenda
Lower risk of MS so how does that help a person who already has MS?
Hi Brenda, I agree that ´lower risk´ is too late for anyone who already has MS but it seems that they can still benefit from caffeine´s neuroprotective properties and a slowing of progression in some areas.
Jan-Michaell
Hi Brenda and I know your frustration to end your MS symptoms and with PPMS myself, I know for me I need to be more alert, with my family and getting out of the house to theatre, into new adventures metal. The caffeine does not get rid of my MS but it does help me stay mentally and somewhat physically active in getting about with my various mobility paraphernalia. That is how the coffee helps me and reduces the effects or reduces what MS tries to limit in my days. I sleep better after a full day albeit with a few short rests throughout...Jan-Michael
Tanya
That's funny. I have always drank coffee and tea my whole life. I was diagnosed when I was 50. Now I'm 51.
Marge Meurn
I did the same for years and diagnosed with PPMS August 2017
Christina Bowers
I've been diagnosed with RMS and I've drunk coffee and tea to help but i also think to follow up with you what doctor says to do. I'm 37 and I make do with what I have.
jk
After decades of ms I'm worn out waiting for a vaccine
Jan-Michaell
I am not expecting a vaccine in my lifetime but I do expect stem cell harvested from one's own marrow and then after wiping out one's own white cells, one's own clean stem cells will recharge and improve MS person's health. I am a bit old to try it but I read how some are renewed. However one death did occur. I have hope for the future generations; the 1st recorded heart attack I believe was around 1899 d within 60 years it has dramatically been reduced and is treatable. "When you're down, look UP"!
Bonnie Young
Jan~Michaell, yes! my thoughts EXACTLY stem cell our own is a great idea wish i could get my doctors on the same page with it !
Prayers for all our wishes!! Bonnie
Michele Gibbs
Michael Hader Congress has recently granted the FDA authority to regulate human tissue through the Public Health Service Act (PHSA).
The FDA is currently in the process of defining a regulatory path for cellular therapies. A Scientific Workshop and Public Hearing – Draft Guidances Relating to the Regulation of Human Cells, Tissues or Cellular or Tissue-Based Products is scheduled for September at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesada, MD.
In March, 2016, bipartisian legislation was introduced to the Senate and House of Representatives to develop and advance stem cell therapies.
Sarah Parks
Stem Cell Therapies are a great option. I wish it was affordable for all and The Western Medicine Neurologists would start to see the great health benefits and begin to get on board.
Fawn Nichols
AGREE!!
Brenda
Love my coffee except that it makes my bladder problems worse. Not going to stop drinking it. The advantages outweigh the problems. Like Marijuana a magic plant. Now I hear it can help drug addicts get off the dangerous stuff. Wow. Now if we can stop the chemists from playing around with it. It's the plant as a whole when you start adding chemicals or taking out stuff it's not the same animal.
Jennifer Bodurtha
I have had MS for 30 years and only began drinking coffee about 10 years ago. Have about 4 cups/day and have not had major MS symptoms. Will keep drinking my coffee and look forward to further studies.
Brenda
oh! I forgot with the coffee, medium roast is better. When over roasted it loses the good stuff and the anti -inflammatory benefits are lost. I also heard that when roasting the coffee beans darker the higher heats may cause dangerous byproducts to form. So try some coconut oil for additional flavour you might like it. Remember real milk products in coffee help keep it from staining your teeth.
Sherry
I hope this is all truth because I love coffee!
However my problem is that I like cold sweet tea too, and sodas but trying to wean away from those. Though the coffee may have health benefits to it, the problem is we add so much creamer and sugar to coffee. We also do the same thing with Tea, sodas speak for themselves because they are loaded with sugars. Even diet drinks are loaded with aspertame and other artificial sweeteners that are not good for us.
I'm convinced that too much caffeine and too much sugar has to be detrimental to our health and he will cause diseases. I have MS and I would not doubt it sugar and caffeine has something to do with it.
Jess
Soda is terrible for you so the sooner you can get rid of that the better. Black coffee and tea may be beneficial, but adding cream and sugar isn't good. If you are having problems with ms I would look at a whole food plant based diet. Also read the studies done by Dr. Swank. There is also a new documentary out called "Code Blue" that is worth watching. I have had ms for 21 years and am lucky to be doing so well. I do not eat meat, dairy or processed food. I do eat some dark chocolate---occasionally fish but not often. I also exercise almost every day. I can't say if it is luck or lifestyle, but it is worth trying.
Jennifer Bodurtha
I have had MS for 30 years and only began drinking coffee about 10 years ago. Have about 4 cups/day and have not had major MS symptoms. Will keep drinking my coffee and look forward to further studies.