The Claim

Replacing one daily serving of sugar-sweetened beverages with coffee is associated with a 23% lower risk of all-cause dementia, and replacing one daily serving of sugar-sweetened beverages with tea is associated with a 19% lower risk of all-cause dementia, over a median follow-up of 13.45 years in adults aged 40–69, after adjusting for multiple confounders.

Source: Associations of Individual Beverage Types and Substitution with Dementia Risk: A UK Biobank Cohort Study

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
59score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Correlation
1 study reviewed
In plain English

In adults aged 40–69, replacing one daily serving of sugar-sweetened beverages with coffee is linked to a 23% lower rate of all-cause dementia, and replacing it with tea is linked to a 19% lower rate, over a median follow-up of 13.45 years.

See the scientific wording

Replacing one daily serving of sugar-sweetened beverages with coffee is associated with a 23% lower risk of all-cause dementia, and replacing it with tea is associated with a 19% lower risk, over a median follow-up of 13.45 years in adults aged 40–69, after adjusting for multiple confounders.

Why this might work

When people stop drinking sugary drinks and drink coffee or tea instead, the caffeine and plant compounds in these drinks reduce brain inflammation, improve blood flow to the brain, and help the body use insulin better. This protects brain cells from damage and prevents the buildup of harmful proteins that cause dementia.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Associations of Individual Beverage Types and Substitution with Dementia Risk: A UK Biobank Cohort Study

    This study found that if people swap out one sugary drink a day for coffee or tea, they’re less likely to get dementia later in life—even after accounting for other health habits. It’s like trading a soda for a cup of coffee and giving your brain a little extra protection.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.