Does Drinking Coffee Help Treat or Lower the Risk of Parkinson’s Disease?

It is estimated that over 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s disease. Of these, around 10-15% of cases are caused by genetic factors. Recent studies suggest that caffeine consumption may reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease, even in those with a high genetic predisposition.

Does Coffee Cause Hand Tremors Similar to Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson’s tremor does not come from coffee

Tremors from Parkinson’s are not caused by coffee. Some people may experience slight hand tremors after consuming coffee or other sources of caffeine. However, the tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease result from a different process in the body. For most people with Parkinson’s, caffeine does not significantly impact tremors.

Caffeine affects people differently. Some individuals avoid it due to sensitivity to its side effects. However, having Parkinson’s itself does not seem to be a reason to avoid caffeine completely.

The tremors that occur in Parkinson’s disease are caused by another process in the body that is not caused by drinking coffee

Causes and Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic, progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, balance, and memory. It was first described by James Parkinson in 1817, but it wasn’t until the 20th century that researchers identified the loss of nerve cells in the substantia nigra (SNpc) and a dopamine deficiency in the brain as the primary causes.

PD symptoms typically start with hand or foot tremors, then progress throughout the body, causing muscle rigidity, slow movement (bradykinesia), or even the inability to move (akinesia). This impairs daily activities, affecting movement, speech, and facial expressions.

The causes of Parkinson’s include genetic factors (10-15%) and environmental exposure, such as contact with certain chemicals or pesticides. Although there is no cure yet, current therapies mainly aim to alleviate symptoms.

By the time symptoms appear, those with Parkinson’s have lost 60-80% of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra, so prevention and treatment are closely linked.

Symptoms of PD often begin with tremors in the limbs, then progress to the entire body, including muscle stiffness, slowness of movement (bradykinesia), or even loss of movement (akinesia)

Coffee and Reduced Risk of Parkinson’s Disease

1 – 3 cups of coffee a day can reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease

1 to 3 cups of coffee per day may reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease. Recent studies show that coffee consumption can lower the risk of Parkinson’s, especially among those with a high genetic predisposition. A new study from Singapore’s National Neuroscience Institute suggests that drinking tea and coffee containing caffeine can significantly reduce Parkinson’s risk in Asians with high genetic susceptibility.

The more caffeinated coffee someone drinks, the lower their risk appears to be. Men who drink a lot of coffee and other caffeinated beverages have a lower risk of Parkinson’s compared to non-drinkers. For women, the lowest risk is found in those who drink 1 to 3 cups per day.

Researchers are uncertain whether this applies to everyone and why there is a difference between men and women. Other studies suggest caffeine and estrogen may interact, potentially increasing Parkinson’s risk in women who use both caffeine and estrogen replacement therapy.

Recent studies have found that coffee consumption reduces the risk of Parkinson’s disease in high-risk individuals, opening up new perspectives for disease prevention

Is Caffeine in Coffee the Reason?

Most studies on coffee and Parkinson’s focus on caffeine’s effects on the brain. Research shows a lower Parkinson’s risk among regular consumers of caffeinated coffee.

However, other studies suggest that decaffeinated coffee may also lower the risk. Scientists note that coffee beans contain over 1,000 active compounds. Some have been found to benefit brain health, and a lower Parkinson’s risk has also been observed among tea drinkers. The mechanism behind coffee’s preventive effects on Parkinson’s is still under debate.

Scientists say there are more than 1,000 active ingredients in coffee beans. Some of them have also been found to improve brain health and may be associated with a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease in tea drinkers

Can Coffee Help Treat Parkinson’s Disease?

Caffeine may help prevent the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells, even after Parkinson’s symptoms have begun. After drinking a typical amount of coffee, brain scans show elevated dopamine signaling levels. Some non-caffeine chemicals in coffee may also protect brain cells from inflammation and damage, which is beneficial for treating Parkinson’s and other conditions like Alzheimer’s.

One study found that coffee reduces tremors in men not yet on Parkinson’s medication, though the effect is not as strong for women. Another study suggests that coffee may help with swallowing and walking, though it has limited impact on tremors.

Additionally, caffeine in coffee has been found to interact with certain Parkinson’s treatments to help alleviate symptoms. The most common drug used to treat Parkinson’s is a combination of levodopa and carbidopa. Neurons use levodopa to produce more dopamine, while carbidopa prevents levodopa from breaking down until it reaches the brain, aiding with movement and tremors. However, it does not prevent the disease from worsening.

With prolonged use of levodopa, some individuals may develop involuntary movements (dyskinesia) of the face, limbs, or trunk. Coffee may help reduce this dyskinesia risk in some levodopa users. Levodopa may even work better in coffee drinkers since caffeine blocks certain receptors that may lead to movement issues in Parkinson’s. Coffee can also help prevent tolerance to levodopa, meaning people do not need to keep increasing their dose for the same benefits.

Caffeine in coffee has been found by researchers to interact with some Parkinson’s disease treatments to help reduce symptoms

Conclusion

While caffeine cannot replace comprehensive treatments, drinking coffee may help reduce Parkinson’s risk and even provide supportive effects during treatment. However, further research is needed to understand the compounds in coffee and how they interact with the brain, especially across different population groups. For those at risk or living with Parkinson’s, coffee may be a beneficial habit when consumed reasonably.

Images from 43 Factory Coffee Roaster and collected by 43 Factory Coffee Roaster

FAQs

1. Can drinking coffee reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease?

Yes, many studies indicate that drinking coffee, especially caffeinated coffee, may lower the risk of Parkinson’s disease, even for those with a high genetic predisposition.

2. Does caffeine in coffee cause hand tremors similar to Parkinson’s symptoms?

No, caffeine may cause mild tremors in some people, but Parkinson’s tremors stem from a different bodily process and are not caused by caffeine.

3. What causes Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s primarily results from the loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain’s substantia nigra, which can be due to genetic factors (10-15%) or environmental exposure to chemicals and pesticides.

4. Can coffee help treat or alleviate Parkinson’s symptoms?

According to recent research, coffee may help reduce neuronal loss and support dopamine function, and it can even improve some motor symptoms when combined with treatments like levodopa.

5. Can decaffeinated coffee reduce Parkinson’s risk?

Some studies suggest that decaffeinated coffee may also lower Parkinson’s risk, as coffee contains various beneficial compounds for brain health.