Caffeine Linked to Decreased Depression Risk in Postmenopausal Women

A new study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine reveals that caffeine decreases the risk of depression among post menopausal women. According to researchers at the Harvard University’s School of Public Health, drinking four cup of coffee a day reduced the risk of depression by more than 20 percent. The researchers made use of data from the Nurses’ Health Study in which more than 50,000 women had participated.

The study was started in 1996 with researchers analyzing data of women who had an average age of 63 years and were known to be smokers. At the end of 2006, the researchers found that those who drank more coffee had a lower risk of depression compared to those who drank little or no coffee. However the researchers were unable to find whether this held true even among non-smokers or those who drank more than six cups of coffee a day.

“A small amount of coffee may keep you more active and more happy, and that may result in the long run in better brain health”, lead researcher Dr Alberto Ascherio said, though he cautioned that more research has to be done before arriving at any conclusion.


Source-Medindia