A team of public health researchers at Ningxia Medical University, in China, has found, via analysis of health record data, that some regular coffee drinkers with high blood pressure may have a lower risk of developing dementia than people who do not drink coffee. Their study is published in Scientific Reports.

Prior research has shown that regularly drinking a moderate amount of coffee or tea can reduce inflammation. Other studies have shown that it can also promote blood–brain barrier health. Both factors have been tied to reducing the risk of developing dementia.

In this new study, the researchers wondered if a direct tie could be made between drinking caffeinated beverages and dementia. To find such a link, they turned to the UK Biobank, a database of health data for more than 500,000 people over the span of several years.

In their analysis, the research team looked for associations between regularly consuming either coffee or tea and a reduction in dementia risk. They also looked at other factors that could play a role, such as whether people had heart disease or other conditions, including hypertension.

They found that people with hypertension were more likely to develop dementia than those who did not have the condition. They also found what they describe as an association between people with hypertension who also regularly drank coffee or tea—those who drank one-half to a full cup each day had a lower risk of dementia than did those who did not drink either beverage.

They also found that the type of coffee consumed made a difference—those who ground their own beans, for example, saw greater rewards.

The research team suggests that consumption of caffeinated beverages by people with hypertension and the associated reductions in inflammation conferred by consumption are likely the reasons for the reduction in dementia risk.

They also note that because their study was based on correlation, more research is required to better understand the link between caffeine consumption and dementia risk in hypertensive patients.

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