Many of us rely on that morning cup of coffee to help us perk up and feel alert. But that’s not the only way that coffee helps your brain. Research shows that drinking coffee can help boost cognitive function and mood, and it may even benefit your long-term brain health.1,2 Here’s why your coffee habit may be even smarter than you thought.

Coffee is rich in beneficial compounds

It’s not just the caffeine in coffee that affects your brain. Coffee is rich in antioxidants and other bioactive compounds that are thought to help maintain brain health over time. For instance, it’s a rich source of chlorogenic acids — phytonutrients help protect your cells against the damaging effects of oxidative stress. (Oxidative stress happens when the free radicals in your body outnumber the antioxidants.) Since the brain uses a lot of oxygen, it’s particularly susceptible to oxidative stress.

Another recent study found that phenylindanes, compounds produced during the roasting process, seem to help protect against excessive protein buildup in the brain, which plays a key role in cognitive decline.3

Coffee helps boost mental function and mood

Coffee is a natural stimulant that keeps your brain humming — but you already knew that. What you might not know is that caffeine also increases the activity of certain neurotransmitters, including feel-good brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin, which help boost your mood and motivation and support concentration and learning. When you need to focus and get stuff done, a cup of coffee can give you that extra kick.

Coffee supports healthy brain aging

We know that coffee gives our brains a short-term boost. But there’s evidence that coffee might help our long-term brain health, too.

A number of recent studies have found that regular, moderate coffee-drinkers are more likely to stay sharp as they age.4,5,6 This suggests that coffee might have protective benefits for the aging brain. The research is still ongoing, but it’s another vote in favor of your coffee habit.

Maximize the brain benefits of coffee

JBA MasterMind Smart Caffe Latte combines rich, Vietnamese-style coffee with brain-boosting herbs like ginseng, gingko, and bacopa to help maximize your mental vitality.* And now, you can feel even better knowing your daily cup is helping your brain in ways you never imagined!*

* This product has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Reference links

1. Ruxton, CHS. The impact of caffeine on mood, cognitive function, performance and hydration: a review of benefits and risks. Nutrition Bulletin, British Nutrition Foundation. 2008(33):15-25. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-3010.2007.00665.x
2. Nehlig A. Pract Neurol. 2016 Apr;16(2):89-95. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26677204/
3. Mancini RS., Wang Y, Weaver DF. Front Neurosci, 2018 Oct 12;12(735). https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2018.00735/full
4. Eskelinen MH, Kivipelto M. J Alzheimers Dis. 2010;20 Suppl 1:S167-74. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20182054/
5. Eskelinen MH, Ngandu T, Tuomilehto J, et al. J Alzheimers Dis. 2009;16(1):85-91. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19158424/
6. Shukitt-Hale B, Miller MG, Yi-Fang C, et al. Coffee, but not caffeine, has positive effects on cognition and psychomotor behavior in aging. Age (Dordr) 2013;(35)6:2183-92. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23344884/