Before going to the office or in between the classes, beverages such as tea and coffee have become a part of our day and something without which our day feels a bit incomplete. People have been telling us that consumption of caffeine can have bad effects on our health and can result in various health problems. Where we have learnt so much about the negative effects of coffee and ways in which it can affect our health, you would be surprised that the consumption of these caffeine based beverages can be beneficial in lowering the risk of health issues such as dementia and stress. Where dementia and stress are serious issues that affect the blood flow of the brain or affect a person's ability to think or remember simple things. These caffeine consisting beverages such as coffee and tea are known to stimulate the central nervous system and help in making you active. Let us get ahead into this caffeine ride and know more about the ways in which the consumption of Coffee and tea can help in lowering the risk of stroke and dementia with Dr. Rohit Gupta, Director – Neurology at Fortis Hospital, Faridabad.
What Are Stroke & Dementia?
When we are talking about preventing and lowering the risk of these diseases it is first important to know about what these diseases are and the ways in which they tend to affect a person.
Stroke
Starting off with stroke, it is a disease that affects people around the age of 55 to 85 years. Generally there are two types of strokes known as ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke. Where hemorrhagic stroke can be caused due to the bleeding in the brain and on the other hand, causes of ischemic stroke include when the blood flow is cut off due to some blockage in the arteries or veins. There are various conditions that tend to increase the risk of strike such as-
- Heart diseases
- Blood pressure
- Diabetes
- High Cholesterol levels
Dementia
Also Read: 7 Myths and Facts About Dementia That You May Not Be Knowing
An umbrella term that is used to describe a group of symptoms that tend to affect the memory such as causing Hindera in a person's daily life activities along with affecting the social and thinking skills. Where memory loss is one of the early signs of dementia, a memory loss itself does not confirm that the condition a person is suffering from is dementia. There are various psychological and cognitive changes that a person might experience in form of various symptoms life
- Memory loss
- Disorientation
- Confusion
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Hallucination
- Agitation
- Difficulty in motor functioning
Caffeine and Heart Diseases
Coffee is known to have components that are very helpful in guarding us against various diseases and conditions such as Alzheimer's and cardiovascular diseases. Jam packed with various antioxidant substances and other active components, coffee is known to reduce inflammation in the brain and provide protection from various other diseases such as kidney diseases, stroke, Parkinson's disease and lowers the risk of colon cancer.
Also Read: Coffee Infused Oil, A Proven Remedy For Many Skin Problems
When it comes to heart and cardiovascular diseases, consumption of coffee in a moderate amount on a regular basis might help a person to ward off heart failure and weakened heart. According to various researches conducted around the globe coffee has been linked to the reduced risk of stroke, heart attack, coronary heart disease and heart failure. It has also been found that the consumption of these caffeine beverages either in combination or when consumed alone can help in lowering your risk of post stroke and dementia. The consumption of these beverages is beneficial for brain health as it protects the brain cells from damage and inflammation along with supporting the memory and learning process. Here’s what Dr. Rohit Gupta has to say about this- “There are a lot of studies when it comes to the relation between caffeine and stroke. The researchers say that if a moderate amount of coffee is consumed it results in increased blood pressure but if your caffeine consumption is high then it can lead to increased insulin sensitivity that is helpful in treating diabetes and also improves the vascular endothelial functions that may decrease the risk of stroke or any kind of vascular dementia in a person. Consuming 4 or more than 4 cups of coffee is associated with a reduced risk of stroke”
Monitor your Consumption
Where the consumption of caffeine can be beneficial in preventing these conditions such as stroke and dementia, it is important to note that these drinks should be coming sumed in moderation. An excessive intake or over consumption of caffeine can actually be dangerous and can tend to have several side effects such as muscle breakdown, anxiety, digestive issues, insomnia, frequent urination, high blood pressure, rapid heart rate, fatigue, etc.
Everything is good and beneficial till consumed In moderation. An overconsumption of overdose of anything can lead to several health issues and conditions that might hamper your health. Look out for your caffeine k take and make sure that you are not going overboard with your tea or coffee in order to prevent these conditions.
With inputs from Dr. Rohit Gupta, Director – Neurology at Fortis Hospital, Faridabad
