By Nana Karikari, Senior Global Affairs Correspondent
Key takeaways include:
- Significant Findings: Moderate consumption of caffeinated coffee (2–3 cups) or tea (1–2 cups) is linked to an 18% and 14% lower risk of dementia, respectively.
- Cultural Context: The piece bridges this global research with local West African insights, specifically looking at the “cognitive reserve” found in traditional diets and the benefits of Ghanaian cocoa.
- Expert Balance: It features perspectives from Harvard, the University of Toronto, and local Ghanaian practitioners to ensure the science is balanced with practical health advice.
Your morning caffeine might be doing more than just waking you up. New research suggests that a daily cup of coffee or tea could be a powerful ally in the fight against dementia, a condition that is becoming an urgent public health concern across West Africa.
The study, published Monday, February 9, 2026, in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA)—one of the world’s most prestigious and peer-reviewed medical journals—found a significant link between caffeine consumption and long-term cognitive health. Researchers analyzed data from over 131,000 participants in the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. The results show that moderate caffeine intake is associated with a lower risk of developing dementia.
“Those who enjoyed two to three cups of coffee or one to two cups of tea a day saw the biggest impact,” said Dr. Daniel Wang, assistant professor at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the study’s senior author. He noted that midlife coffee drinkers had an 18% lower chance of developing dementia later in life. Tea drinkers saw a 14% lower risk. Wang’s team did not observe these benefits in decaffeinated options.
The Genetic Bridge: From Indianapolis to Ibadan
While the JAMA study primarily analyzed Western data, the findings align with years of research specifically targeting African populations. The landmark Indianapolis-Ibadan Dementia Project—a decades-long study compared West Africans in Nigeria to African-Americans in the U.S. It found that Yoruba residents in Ibadan had significantly lower rates of Alzheimer’s than their American counterparts.
Experts believe that environmental factors, including the traditional West African diet rich in natural antioxidants, may provide a “cognitive reserve.” Adding caffeinated beverages like coffee or tea to this existing dietary foundation could further strengthen the brain’s defenses against aging.
“When we see these high-level studies in the West, we often wonder if they apply to us,” said Nana Afia Agyeman, a Ghanaian nurse practitioner based in London. “But the science of the brain is universal. Whether it’s my parents in Kumasi having their morning tea or me having a latte in London, we are all looking for that same protection.”
The “Golden Bean” Factor
In Ghana, the morning ritual often centers on national pride: cocoa. As the world’s second-largest producer, the West African country produces cocoa beans naturally high in flavonols—compounds that improve blood flow to the brain.
“I see the Nescafé man every morning before I start my stall,” said Kofi Mensah, 58, a trader at Makola Market. “I used to think it was just for the energy to carry my goods, but knowing it keeps the mind sharp? That makes every cedi spent on my morning cup feel like an investment in my future.”
For those who find coffee too acidic, researchers suggest that unsweetened Ghanaian cocoa offers similar neuroprotective benefits, making brain health accessible to every household from Takoradi to Tamale.
A Rising “Silent Epidemic”
The timing of the research is critical. Africa’s population over age 60 is projected to triple by 2050, bringing with it a “silent epidemic” of cognitive decline. In a region where specialized neurology care is often prohibitively expensive, the prospect of a widely available, affordable beverage providing clinical benefits is revolutionary.
Caution for the High-Risk
Dr. David Kao of the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School, noted the study was observational. This means caffeine is associated with health, but other factors may be at play. Coffee drinkers might have higher socioeconomic status or healthy habits “such as doing a morning crossword when drinking their coffee,” Kao said. He added that the evidence is not yet strong enough to suggest people must change their behaviors.
Despite the optimism, medical experts urge moderation. “More is not necessarily better,” said Dr. Sara Mahdavi, an adjunct professor at the University of Toronto. “No one should start drinking coffee solely for brain protection.” She warned that people with anxiety, insomnia, or heart rhythm conditions should be especially cautious.
Mahdavi explained that coffee contains hundreds of bioactive compounds that influence inflammation and vascular function. However, she emphasized that a single beverage cannot replace “regular physical activity, good sleep hygiene, not smoking, and managing blood pressure.”
Additionally, health advocates note that the benefits of the “morning brew” can be easily negated by the heavy use of condensed milk and sugar common in many Ghanaian households. To reap the brain-boosting rewards, experts recommend keeping additives to a minimum.
“Coffee is not a substitute for well-established brain healthy behaviors,” Mahdavi emphasized. She noted that while caffeine has benefits, a diet made up of whole plant-based foods remains far more influential for long-term protection. Regular physical activity, managing blood pressure, and staying socially engaged remain the primary pillars of aging well.
