Parkinson's disease is a neurological disorder that affects muscle movement. While therapies for many health conditions recommend limiting stimulants such as caffeine, research points to the beneficial effects of caffeine in reducing the risk for Parkinson's disease. Research is ongoing, however, and no official recommendations regarding caffeine consumption and Parkinson's have been made.
About Parkinson's Disease
In Parkinson's disease, nerve cells are damaged in the area of the brain where muscle movement is controlled. These cells ineffectively make or use dopamine, the neurotransmitter responsible for sending messages for muscle coordination. The reason for these damaged nerve cells is unknown. Symptoms include trembling hands, legs, arms, face and slow, uncoordinated movements.
Caffeine
Caffeine, a stimulant, affects the central nervous system, causing alertness and wakefulness. Found naturally in many types of plants, it's also extracted and used as an added ingredient in food products and some medications. Moderate intake of caffeine is about 200 to 300 mg per day, about two to four cups of brewed coffee and is considered safe for adults, notes MayoClinic.com.
Research
A 2000 study in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" found that consuming more coffee and caffeine --up to 28 oz. or about seven cups of caffeinated beverages per day-- reduced the risk of Parkinson's disease. Data from this study concludes that it was caffeine's effects, not any particular compound in coffee, that were responsible for the positive effects. A 2001 study review in the "Annals of Neurology" found that moderate caffeine consumption is possibly protective against Parkinson's. The component in caffeine that played a possible key role is unknown.
Eastern Teas and Parkinson's Disease
According to a 2011 study in the journal "Parkinsonism and Related Disorders," in Asian countries, there is a clear relationship between consuming Japanese and Chinese teas and reduced risk for Parkinson's disease. The National Parkinson's Foundation notes that green tea, which contains polyphenols with antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties -- but not caffeine -- may play a role in slowing down Parkinson's. The Chinese Ministry of Health and the Michael J. Fox Foundation are currently studying green tea's effects.
References
- MedlinePlus: Parkinson's Disease
- MayoClinic.com: Caffeine: How Much is Too Much; March 2011
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Association of Coffee and Caffeine Intake With the Risk of Parkinson Disease; G. Webster Ross, et. al.; 2000
- "Annals of Neurology"; Prospective Study Of Caffeine Consumption And Risk Of Parkinson's Disease In Men And Women; A. Ascherio, et. al.; 2001
- "Parkinsonism and Related Disorders"; Intake Of Japanese And Chinese Teas Reduces Risk Of Parkinson's Disease; K. Tanaka, et. al.; March 2011
- National Parkinson's Foundation: Green Tea Polyphenols (GTPs)
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