MS Risk and Coffee

In recent years, I’ve become addicted to my daily mug of coffee. I love the smell, the warmth, and the extra boost of sugar (yes, I really do use real sugar in my coffee). Coffee not only helps to perk up my mind, it also has a mild effect on regular bowel movements. Basically, coffee is an important part of each day’s routine and without it, I’d feel like a zombie most days.

I wasn’t always a coffee drinker. I originally started drinking coffee in an attempt to combat MS fatigue. But recent research suggests that if I had been an avid coffee drinker prior to MS, my risk of developing MS may have been reduced by as much as 30 percent (Hedström et al, 2016). That’s a significant reduction!

Why coffee?

Coffee contains many biologically active compounds that provide a number of health benefits. Studies have shown that caffeine intake has been associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Caffeine may also protect against blood-brain barrier leakage according to research conducted in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease. Caffeine consumption may also reduce neuroinflammation and demyelination in animal models of MS.

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Could Drinking Coffee Reduce MS Risk?