A shot of espresso can prevent ALZHEIMER’S protein clumping in lab tests

Coffee lovers may be benefiting from more than just a caffeine boost, as research shows that compounds found in a shot of espresso may help to prevent the development of Alzheimer’s. 

A study shows that a shot of coffee can inhibit a process believed to be involved in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

Although the exact mechanisms that cause Alzheimer’s and dementia are still unclear, it’s thought that a protein called tau plays a significant role.

In healthy people, tau proteins help stabilise structures in the brain.

But these proteins can clump together into thread-like structures called fibrils.

 Research now shows that compounds found in espresso can inhibit a process that is believed to be involved in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease (stock image)

Some researchers believe that preventing this formation could alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer’s – or prevent it from developing in the first place.

Mariapina D’Onofrio, a biologist from the University of Verona, Italy, said: ‘Espresso coffee is among the best-known beverages worldwide, and drinking espresso has become a habit in many countries due to its pleasant taste.

‘Recent studies show that when consumed in moderation, this drink could have beneficial effects on human health thanks to its biological properties.

‘In particular, numerous studies report that moderate and, sometimes, even high coffee consumption exerts a neuroprotective effect against two of the most common neurodegenerative diseases – Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.’

To investigate, her team pulled espresso shots and incubated extracts alongside a shortened form of the tau protein in a lab for up to 40 hours.

They found that as the concentration of the espresso extract increased, the tau fibrils remained shorter and did not form larger ‘tangles’.

These shortened fibrils were found to be non-toxic to human cells.

The team said many of the compounds in coffee, such as caffeine and genistein, can cross the barrier between blood and the brain to deliver protective effects.

Writing in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the team said: ‘Here, we show that aggregation of the tau protein is modulated by espresso coffee extract and some of its components.

‘Based on the bioavailability of coffee components in the brain, and on the results of our study, we expect that moderate coffee consumption may provide a sufficient amount of bioactive molecules to act… as modulators of tau protein aggregation and toxicity.

‘In conclusion, we presented a large body of evidence that espresso coffee, a widely consumed beverage, is a source of natural compounds showing beneficial properties in ameliorating tau-related pathologies.’

Although much more research is needed, the team says their preliminary findings could pave the way for finding or designing treatments for the disease.

Previous research has also suggested a link between drinking coffee and brain health. A study published in 2021 found people who drank two to three cups of coffee and two to three cups of tea per day had a 28 per cent reduced risk of developing dementia compared to those who drank none.

This group’s risk of having a stroke was also reduced by 32 per cent, scientists found.

Meanwhile, a separate study found eating an ‘anti-inflammatory’ diet including coffee, tea, fruit and vegetables can cut the chances of getting dementia by a third.