Does Drinking Coffee Reduce the Incidence of Parkinson's Disease?

Abstract

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is an increasing threat to first-world nations as their population ages, with around one in 100 suffering from it by age 60. Incurable, with treatments that do little to delay disease progression, PD induces severe disability and even death in those afflicted. The search for preventative measures has revealed the widely used psychoactive stimulant caffeine, which competitively inhibits adenosine receptors to induce a wide variety of effects. The inhibition of inflammation and microglial cell activation to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced cellular damage and the resultant mitochondrial dysfunction of the dopaminergic neurons appears to be the main pathway, inducing neuronal loss via the activation of the intrinsic pathway to apoptosis. Mouse models and human data reinforce that caffeine delays the onset of PD in a dose-dependent manner. Evidence suggests it is more beneficial in men than women and is not beneficial at all in women undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Additionally, some studies suggest that although caffeinated drinks such as cola and tea are beneficial, there may be other products in coffee that prevent the effect, though this requires further research. Although there is strong evidence that caffeine is neuroprotective, there is less evidence that it delays the onset of PD. Given the association with cardiovascular disease, it may be disadvantageous overall to the majority of the population to supplement caffeine, though still a beneficial preventative technique for individuals with a genetic predisposition to PD that may otherwise suffer early onset.

From cup to clock: exploring coffee's role in slowing down biological aging

“…28 It has been observed that regular coffee consumption may be linked to a decreased chance of neurodegenerative diseases, 5,29,30 such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. 31,32 Several researches have indicated that drinking coffee in moderation may be connected to a decrease in the chances of developing heart disease. This could be due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the polyphenols found in coffee, which can improve endothelial function and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.…”

Concentration-Dependent Investigation of the Inhibition of Bromelain Mediated Protein Hydrolysis on Egg Albumen through Coffea arabica

“…For instance, caffeine has been associated with a reduced risk of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, which are characterized by the accumulation of speci c proteins, including beta-amyloid in Alzheimer's and alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's. The inhibitory effect of caffeine on protein hydrolysis may in uence the clearance or breakdown of these proteins, potentially reducing their accumulation and the associated neurodegenerative effects (Zheng et al (2023) Zheng et al, 2015;Yang et al, 2020;Mitani et al, 2017;Ko, 2023).…”

Assessing the Impact of Multiple Common Factors on the Development of Parkinson’s Disease: An Updated Narrative Review

“…Look at Table 1. Caffeine provides some protection, but it also has some possibly carcinogenic qualities and greatly raises the risk of heart disease; therefore, excessive caffeine use should be used with caution [100].…”