Coffee or tea: What really protects our intelligence as we age?

Coffee or tea: What really protects our intelligence as we age?

On April 3, 2025, research at the Ruhr University Bochum presented an exciting study that deals with the meaning of language in memory reports. Prof. Dr. Kristina Liefke, who heads the Chair of Philosophy of Information and Communication, leads a research group that examines hidden information in everyday sentences. An example from her field of research shows that the sentence “Mia doesn't drink coffee anymore” can contain deeper meanings that depend on the context and speaker. This analysis of language has potentially important implications for various disciplines, including psychology and law.

In particular, the group developed the thesis that there are linguistic clues that point to personal experience. So the word “how” is seen as the key to understanding. An example illustrates this: “I remember Grandma swimming in the sea last year” suggests a personal memory, while the statement “I know Grandma swam in the sea last year” refers more to hearsay. In an online study, 60 participants rated the plausibility of experiences reported by fictional young people, Red and Blue. The results show that statements made by people who were not directly involved in an event are viewed as less credible.

The complexity of deciphering memories

Kristina Liefke explains that the choice of words alone is not enough to clearly determine a speaker's personal experience. Future studies will consider additional indicators such as emotional expressions and changes in narrative time. The research could potentially be applicable in court cases, but poses complex challenges for scientists. What is surprising is that phrases like “I remember” are often used in uncertain memories. This raises questions about the reliability of such statements.

In a completely different context, research also looks at the consumption of coffee and tea and its influence on cognitive abilities. A study presented at the 2024 Alzheimer's Association International Conference shows that consuming more than three cups of coffee daily is associated with faster cognitive decline. Moderate consumption, on the other hand, is considered harmless and could even have a protective effect. Dr. Kelsey R. Sewell, one of the responsible researchers, informs that coffee is one of the most consumed drinks worldwide. The bioactive compounds in coffee, such as caffeine and chlorogenic acid, can potentially have positive effects on various aspects of health, including the risk of stroke, heart failure and even Alzheimer's disease.

Relationships between coffee and tea consumption

Cognitive functions were assessed across a sample of 8,451 cognitively unimpaired adults over the age of 60, both at baseline and at follow-up visits. The results suggest that people with high coffee consumption suffered the greatest decline in fluid intelligence, while moderate consumption may slow the decline. Among tea drinkers, the decline was greater for non-sinners than for moderate or high consumption.

• 18% der Teilnehmer konsumierten mindestens 4 Tassen Kaffee täglich (hoher Konsum).
• 58% tranken 1-3 Tassen (mäßiger Konsum).
• 25% konsumierten keinen Kaffee.

However, the study had some limitations, including possible bias in self-reported use and the lack of data on midlife use. Particular attention is paid to nicotine consumption, which could be included in further surveys.

Combining research on language and nutrition provides a multifaceted insight into the complex relationship between cognitive processes and our daily lives, with both areas providing profound understanding of human experience and behavior.

For more information on the effects of coffee consumption on cognitive function, read the detailed study Medscape. And for more about research into hidden messages in memory reports, visit the website Ruhr University Bochum.