We consumer over 500 billion cups of coffee worldwide each year\u2014it\u2019s one of the most popular rituals on the planet. But for those of you with a dark roast soul, there\u2019s good news. Drinking dark roast coffee is\u00a0really good for your brain.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s right,\u00a0recent research published in\u00a0Frontiers in Neuroscience<\/em>\u00a0suggests that dark roast has tremendously powerful neuroprotective properties that help to fight off the cognitive decline that can accompany aging. The study, from Krembil Brain Institute, tested a gamut of potentially beneficial compounds within light roast, dark roast and decaf coffees.<\/p>\n In all the coffees tested, researchers found clusters of powerful compounds, known as phenylindanes. These compounds are not only strongly antioxidant, but they\u00a0seem to be highly effective when it comes to stopping the thickening and buildup of amyloid-beta proteins and tau proteins in the brain\u2014two dangerous proteins that are considered hallmark signs of Alzheimer\u2019s and Parkinson\u2019s.<\/p>\n While many compounds contribute to coffee\u2019s brain benefits, researchers believe that the effect of phenylindane is incredibly noteworthy and may help researchers further develop effective treatments for cognitive decline in the future. Dark roast coffees, or coffees that have been roasted for longer periods of time,\u00a0were found to be denser in\u00a0phenylindanes than light roasts, making them a better choice for brain health.<\/p>\n Interestingly, these are also the compounds responsible for creating a bitter taste in your coffee. So, if you like it strong and bitter, you\u2019re on the right track. Of course, those who love light roasts also get to enjoy these beneficial compounds, but in smaller quantities.<\/p>\n And even more good news\u2014both caffeinated and decaffeinated dark roasts were shown to be equally as effective\u00a0in stopping harmful protein buildup in research. So even if you are caffeine-sensitive, you can reap the neuroprotective benefits of dark roast coffee by opting for decaf.<\/p>\n Of course, more research is needed\u00a0in order to truly uncover the role of phenylindanes in cognitive decline, but for dark roast lovers, the future looks promising.<\/p>\n This doesn\u2019t mean you have an excuse to down six cups of coffee each day.\u00a0Your best bet is to drink coffee in moderation. Keep it to one to three cups a day\u2014and if you\u2019re highly sensitive to caffeine, stick to Swiss water processed decaf.\u00a0Enjoy your morning brew, and rest assured that your favorite\u00a0ritual of the day comes with some major brain benefits.<\/p>\n This article source is from:\u00a0<\/p>\n