According to a study published in the journal Neurology, active coffee drinkers over the age of 65 (who drank at least three cups of coffee a day) had demonstrably less decrease in memory functioning than women who drank only a single cup.
The study surveyed 7,000 women over a period of four years. Surprisingly, the effects of the caffeine increased as the women aged, with 30% less likely to suffer memory decline at 65, rising to 70% at age 80.
The study only looked at memory functioning, not at dementia, with the rates of dementia (Alzheimer’s) constant and unaffected by caffeine intake in the study.