Coffee may reverse Alzheimer's ?

Could drinking five cups of coffee a day really reverse memory problems seen in Alzheimer's disease? US scientists say there is potential.

The Florida research team suggested caffeine hampered the production of the protein plaques which are the indicators of the disease.

Previous research has also suggested a positive effect from caffeine.

Dr Gary Arendash, who led the latest study, told the BBC: "The results are particularly exciting in that a reversal of pre-existing memory impairment is more difficult to achieve."

"They provide evidence that caffeine could be a viable treatment for established Alzheimer's disease."
"That's important because caffeine is a safe drug for most people, it easily enters the brain, and it appears to directly affect the disease process."

They do not know if a lower amount of caffeine would be as effective, but said most people could safely consume the 500 milligrams per day.

An 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee typically contains 85 milligrams of caffeine.

However they said people with high blood pressure, and pregnant women, should limit their daily caffeine intake.