Coffee and tea drinkers may be doing their brains a favor.
A recent study found that moderate coffee and tea consumption may increase the macular retinal nerve fiber layer. Visual information is transmitted from the eye to the brain via the retinal nerve fiber layer. The macular retinal nerve fiber layer thickness is a measure of the brain's health. A thinner layer increases the risk of neurodegeneration.
More than 35,000 participated in the study by answering a questionnaire regarding coffee and tea consumption, and having their macular retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measured by using an OCT (optical coherence tomogrpahy) scan.
The results that were published in Nutrients demonstrated coffee drinkers had a notable increase in macular retinal nerve fiber thickness, particularly those who drank two to three cups of coffee per day. Tea drinkers saw increased thickness when drinking more than four cups a day.
Researchers noted, however, that the form of coffee is key. Instant coffee actually increases the risk for neurodegenerative diseases so researchers say that it is important to have a good, quality coffee.
