Recent studies have shown that coffee, consumed in moderation, can have numerous benefits for the brain and overall health. In addition to providing a boost of energy, coffee has been linked to a reduced risk of inflammation, diabetes, and even a longer lifespan.

A new exploratory population-based study conducted in Hamburg, Germany, aimed to investigate how different levels of coffee intake affect brain structure. The study compared four groups of people who drank coffee regularly: those who consumed less than 1 cup a day, 1-2 cups a day, 3-4 cups a day, and 5-6 cups of coffee a day.

The results were clear: those who drank three to four cups of coffee per day had the strongest brain structure when looking at several factors including preserved cortical thickness, which is generally associated with higher intelligence. The improvement was seen to increase from those who did not drink coffee to those who drank more. However, it’s important to note that the study design was not perfect and there are potential confounding factors that cannot be ruled out.

Despite these limitations, the findings add to the growing body of evidence supporting the idea that coffee is good for the brain and overall health. Coffee has been shown to slow cognitive decline and potentially reduce the risks of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Additionally, a 2017 meta-analysis found that coffee reduces the incidence of cardiovascular and other diseases as well as neurological, metabolic and liver conditions. Although not all studies looked at exactly how many cups it takes for optimal benefit, some suggest that three to four cups may be enough for optimal health outcomes.

It’s worth noting that while moderate caffeine consumption may have positive effects on cognitive abilities and overall brain function