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New research suggests that men who drink coffee or other caffeinated
beverages have as much as a 3 to 6 times lower risk of developing
Parkinson's disease, a neurological disorder with symptoms
such as tremor, loss of facial expression, and difficulties
with balance and walking.
The study looked at the coffee and caffeine intake in 8,004
Japanese-American men, just over 100 of which developed Parkinson's,
over nearly 30 years. The risk of fell progressively as daily
coffee consumption rose from 4 ounces to more than 24 ounces.
Additionally, researchers found the same relationship regardless
of the source of caffeine. Those who took in less than 2.8
milligrams of caffeine a day were nearly three times as likely
to develop Parkinson's as those who took in more than 107
milligrams from non-coffee sources.
Other substances found in coffee were analyzed, but no association
was found. Researchers have not identified the exact cause
of this effect, and say that it is too early to recommend
coffee drinking to prevent Parkinson's disease. There are
several theories that may explain caffeine's apparent benefit
in preventing Parkinson's disease. The apparent benefit may
result because of the caffeine itself, which may protect the
brain and nervous system. Or it may be a factor of the coffee
drinker, since previous studies have shown that people with
"thrill-seeking" personalities have lower rates
of the disease, and they may also coincidentally be the ones
who drink more coffee
JAMA 2000;283:2674-2679
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