To date, studies linking coffee and cognitive health have been inconsistent, said Dr Yvonne Beata-Silber, cognitive scientist at Nestlé's research centre in Switzerland. "But there is a growing body of evidence to suggest a protective effect," she said at Vitafoods.
"We have mechanised and epidemiological evidence that supports the theory, as well as animal studies but it's not enough," she said. "We need long-term randomised clinical trials, but taking this step will not be easy."
Last month a study from Portugal, by Alexandre de Mendonca, of the University of Lisbon, and Rodrigo Cunha, of the University of Coimbra suggested that caffeine may slow the progression of Alzheimer's and dementia.