Is coffee a miracle cure for Parkinson's?

Coffee and caffeine have often been studied for their ability to reduce the risk of Parkinson's disease. There is some evidence to suggest that regular coffee consumption is associated with a reduced risk of developing Parkinson's disease. But there is no evidence that coffee would protect against the disease.

Caffeine is a stimulant that acts on the central nervous system. It blocks adenosine receptors, potentially leading to neuroprotective effects that can slow or prevent the degeneration of dopamine-producing neurons (a hallmark of Parkinson's).

Parkinson's disease is characterized by a decrease in dopamine in the brain. Caffeine may help improve dopamine-dependent functions, which may help reduce symptoms or slow the progression of the disease.

Although associations have been found, these studies do not prove a direct causal relationship. This means that although there is a link between coffee consumption and a lower risk of Parkinson's, it does not mean that coffee is directly responsible for this reduction.

Coffee may have potential benefits for reducing the risk of Parkinson's disease, largely due to the presence of caffeine. However, it is not a panacea and should be considered one of many factors that may contribute to lowering the risk.

Source: https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/wnl.0b013e318263570d

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2022-02-22 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024