Health

Caffeine linked to protection from Parkinson’s disease

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Caffeine from a variety of sources, not just coffee, shows effect

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous disease occurring generally after age 50. It destroys brain cells that produce dopamine and is characterized by muscular tremor, slowing of movement, weakness and facial paralysis. Men who drank four to five cups per day of caffeinated coffee cut the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease nearly in half compared to men in a recent study who consumed little or no caffeine daily. Women who consumed between one and three cups of caffeinated coffee per day also cut their risk nearly in half of developing Parkinson’s disease when compared to women who drank less than a cup of coffee per day, but this apparent benefit was lost at higher levels of intake. Further research with women is required. The results were announced by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health.