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A sweeping 43-year study of more than 130,000 people found that moderate coffee and tea drinkers had a noticeably lower risk of dementia. But with researchers stressing that the link isn’t proof of cause and effect, what’s really behind this brain-boosting pattern? London (PA Media/dpa) – Having a brew may be more beneficial than the immediate comfort it offers, experts suggested after a new study linked drinking tea and coffee with a reduced risk of dementia. Those who drink caffeinated versions of these hot drinks also have better mental skills compared to people who do not, the large new study found. Researchers were also able to pinpoint the number of cups each day linked to reduced dementia risk. Experts from Harvard University examined data on 131,000 health workers in the US, who were tracked for an average of 43 years. This included 86,000 female nurses and 45 men working as health professionals in the US. Questionnaires about their diet were completed every two to four years, including questions about caffeinated coffee, decaffeinated coffee and tea consumption. Cognitive tests were also performed. During the follow-up period, 11,033 cases of dementia were identified. Analysis suggested that higher caffeinated coffee intake was significantly associated with lower dementia risk – those who drunk the highest amount of coffee compared to the lowest appeared to have an 18% reduced risk of dementia. People who drank the most tea appeared to have a 16% reduced risk. Those who consumed the most tea and coffee also showed a slower rate of cognitive decline compared to those who drank the least. Among the nurses, higher caffeinated coffee consumption was also associated with better objective cognitive performance. Higher intake of tea showed similar associations, researchers found. But drinking decaffeinated coffee was not associated with lower dementia risk or better cognitive performance. Overall, the authors found that the most “pronounced association” was among people who drank a “moderate” amount of tea or coffee, with “no additional advantages” among people who consumed more. They estimated that consumption of around two to three cups of caffeinated coffee each day, or one to two cups of tea per day, were linked with the lowest risk of dementia compared to people who did not drink these drinks. “Greater consumption of caffeinated coffee and tea was associated with lower risk of dementia and modestly better cognitive function, with the most pronounced association at moderate intake levels,” they wrote in Jama. Lead author, Yu Zhang from the TH Chan School of Public Health at Harvard University, told the Press Association: “Dementia is one of the most important and challenging public health problems worldwide, and there are still very limited effective treatments. “So identifying modifiable lifestyle factors that may be linked to dementia risk is critical. “Coffee and tea are widely consumed globally, so even modest associations could have meaningful population-level implications. “We analysed data from more than 130,000 women and men followed for up to 43 years, with repeated dietary assessments over time. “We found that higher intake of caffeinated coffee and tea was associated with a lower risk of dementia and better cognitive performance. “We observed the most favourable associations were at moderate intake levels – the strongest associations were seen at about two to three cups per day of caffeinated coffee and about one to two cups per day of tea. “We didn’t observe additional benefits at higher intake levels.” Commenting on the study, Dr Susan Kohlhaas, executive director of research at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “This research doesn’t prove that coffee or tea protect the brain. “This study shows an association, not a cause-and-effect relationship. “People who drink coffee or tea may also differ in other ways that affect brain health, even after careful adjustment, and the study relied partly on self-reported diagnoses. “It was also conducted in relatively similar groups of health professionals, which limits how widely the results can be applied.” Professor Tara Spires-Jones, division lead at the UK Dementia Research Institute, said: “This is a well-conducted study that looked at data from a large number of people over many years. “However, the study does have important limitations. “This kind of observational research cannot prove conclusively that caffeine intake was the reason for lower dementia risk, other factors related to coffee and tea-drinking habits could be responsible. “For example, sleep disruption and several cardiovascular health factors are associated with increased risk of dementia and these can affect people’s choices around caffeine intake. “Further, the data on caffeine intake were from self-reported questionnaires administered every two to four years, and if people were in early stages of dementia, they might have difficulty accurately reporting their intake or the early brain changes could affect behaviour including caffeine intake.” The following information is not intended for publication pa dpa coh

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Frankfurt (dpa) – We all know what it is like to feel down, with a low mood and listless. But usually, this state of mind passes pretty quickly, often as you know yourself how to handle it. So how does feeling down differ from an actual clinical diagnosis of depression? "Depression is a serious mental illness that alters brain function," says Frankfurt-based professor of psychiatry Ulrich Hegerl. Depression also feels very different from what we experience when we are going through difficult circumstances in life. Four to five symptoms lasting longer than two weeks A depressive phase is present when four to five symptoms are permanently present for longer than two weeks, says Hegerl. These include: Deep feelings of exhaustion accompanied by sleep disorders Appetite disorders, often with weight loss Depressed mood Lack of joy Tendency to brood Exaggerated feelings of guilt Hopelessness Suicidal thoughts. Another typical symptom is a feeling of numbness, or the inability to perceive any feelings, Hegerl says. If left untreated, a phase of illness can last several months. Professional help is necessary Depression often hides behind physical complaints such as tinnitus or gastrointestinal problems. Anyone who sees signs of depression in relatives or friends should not hesitate to gently urge them to see their family doctor for an examination. "Depression is a serious, often life-threatening illness and should be professionally diagnosed and treated as soon as possible," says Hegerl. Your first point of contact if depression or suicidal thoughts are suspected is the family doctor, psychiatrist or psychological psychotherapist. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn eut lue av xxde arw

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Tips for moving safely when there's ice on the pavement range from walk like a pavement to special shoe covers. We took a closer look at what works best to keep you safe in the cold weather. Berlin (dpa) – Walking on pavements these days is not only a slippery business in many places, it can be a dangerous one at that. Lose your footing and fall and you could end up with broken bones in the worst case. To help you get around more safely, there is a device you can put over your shoes, but it's not without its pitfalls: spikes. They provide more grip on ice and snow and, in the best case, prevent you from slipping and falling badly. What do you need to know about spikes? First, the fastening, which is usually made of rubber or plastic, must fit the shoe. The covers are often designed to fit several shoe sizes – for example, from 41 to 43. Ideally, you should have the opportunity to test the fit in the shop. Spikes should be made of stainless steel, says Boris Gnielka from the trade journal‘Outdoor. And, he says, "I would also make sure that they are spikes and not just small pins." Spikes that are 1 to 2 millimetres long are better than nothing on slippery surfaces, but when the ice has shifted and is mixed with snow, longer, jagged shapes up to 1 centimetre in length are better. Anything longer than this would be more suitable for alpine use and are known as crampons or light ice axes. They are not really suitable for walking from your home to the bus stop. Should the covers cover the entire sole? Spikes that only cover part of the shoe are also available in shops, but expert Gnielka is not a fan of these. Often, your heel slips away and then spikes are of little use except on the ball of the foot. "If anything, I would go for models that offer traction across the entire sole." Can I leave them on when walking on cleared paths? Better not. This can make them slippery when the metal slides over paving slabs. What's more, the spikes wear down on stone and asphalt. If you're no longer walking on ice or snow, you should take the spikes off. This is even more important indoors, where the spikes can cause unsightly scratches and holes in the floor. A tip: If you are no longer very mobile, don't underestimate "the fiddling around with taking them off and putting them on," as Gnielka calls it. For example, before getting on a bus or train. If there are no seats available, taking them off can be difficult. Where do the covers go when you don't need them? Depending on how flexible the material is and how big they are, the spike attachments can fit in your jacket pocket. However, especially after use, when they are wet and full of dirt and road salt and will likely leave unsightly stains. It's best to have a bag with you to put them in. What about shoes with fixed spikes in the soles? Gnielka talks about running shoes with integrated spikes that he once had. "They were great for jogging in winter," he says, but when running on paths without ice and snow, they were very uncomfortable. "It's like running with a bunch of stones under your soles. It crunches and cracks" and the soles wear out. This is something to consider when choosing shoes with integrated spikes. What shoes to wear with spikes? In winter conditions, shoes should be comfortable, fit snugly and have a soft, sufficiently slip-resistant professional sole. This was recommended by the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health several years ago. Not advisable are hard, rigid soles or shoes with high heels or leather soles. Conclusion: if there is thick ice or snow on paths and roads, spikes improve "slip resistance" and offer safety. But only there: "It should be noted that it can become even more slippery when walking with spikes on cleared surfaces." In that case, you would have to take off your spikes, according to a report, which is still relevant today. How should you walk on slippery surfaces in general? In response to the slippery conditions in the country, the German Society for Orthopaedics and Trauma Surgery recently reiterated the best walking style for slippery paths: the "penguin walk." In other words: take small, slow steps, place your foot down with the entire sole and always keep your centre of gravity over your front leg. If there are handrails within reach, you should use them to hold on to. If you follow this advice, you will usually be able to walk safely even without spikes. The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn neb xxde mew arw

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Berlin (dpa) – Many of us keep our medication in sight so we won't forget to take it. But that is not a good idea if you have young children in your household, as accidentally taking medicine poses a health risk to them. Even a single tablet intended for adults can be life-threatening if swallowed by a child, says the Lower Saxony Chamber of Pharmacists in Germany. Why medication can be so dangerous for children: Because children have a lower body weight, medication has a stronger effect on them. Here are three examples of how medication – even in small doses – can affect a child's body: Beta blockers such as metoprolol can cause dangerous irregular heartbeat in children. Painkillers that affect the central nervous system can cause slower and shallower breathing, as well as loss of consciousness and seizures. Medicines for depression and delusions can also cause seizures in children, as well as confusion and disturbances of consciousness. How parents should respond in an emergency: Caught red-handed with the blister pack in their hand? Or has the child confessed that they found and swallowed some “sweets”? Parents, to take a deep breath and stay calm – even if that's difficult. Remove any remaining medication from the child's mouth but don't induce vomiting is taboo, partly because of the risk of suffocation. Instead, call your local emergency services, says Germany's State Chamber of Pharmacists. Or contact your poison emergency centre immediately. Check online to find out what poison emergency numbers to call. Talking to a specialist can help clarify how dangerous the medication is for your child and what is the best course of action. To do this, provide information about which medication is involved and how much you think your kid has taken and when. In some places, you may be able to get help in an emergency from an app so check online. In Germany, for example, there is one for poisoning accidents in children, by the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. It is designed for parents to look up exactly what to do with which medications. How parents can prevent poisoning with medicine Ideally, keep blood pressure medication, thyroid tablets and so on out of the hands of children. Pharmacists advise you keep medicines in a lockable cupboard, including herbal preparations and vitamin tablets as these can also harm youngsters, says Germany's State Chamber of Pharmacists. Medicines that need to be stored in the refrigerator are best kept in a container that is difficult to open. Take your medicines out of sight of children to prevent them from imitating the behaviour, says the Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG). The following information is not intended for publication dpa/tmn rid sw xxde arw

(The article has been published through a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has been published verbatim. Liability lies with original publisher.)