Many studies on the relationship between caffeine intake and depression, especially when consumed in coffee or tea, often show that caffeine can reduce the incidence of depression. Research conducted in China between 1980 and 2015 concluded that caffeine-related depression was relatively low, affecting less than 1% of people in all cases. They also showed that the risk of depression as a result of caffeine intake fell when individuals increased their daily caffeine consumption, showing that caffeine and coffee consumption significantly decreased the risk of depression.
An analysis of 12 studies published in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research examined the relationship between caffeine and depression in 346,913 healthy individuals and 8,146 cases of depression . The study concluded that caffeine, particularly that contained in coffee, had a protective effect in preventing depression.
Why might coffee be better for reducing the risk of depression than tea?
Basically because some of its components can counteract the negative effects of depression. And it is that, apart from caffeine, coffee also contains chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid and caffeic acid ; They can all reduce nerve cell inflammation that occurs in the depressed brain.
Along with the natural antioxidant properties of caffeine, coffee can act as an anti-inflammatory in affected parts of the brain, which in turn alleviates the distress caused by depression.
However, not all of the scientific community agrees that caffeine is an effective protector against depression. Many would say that on the contrary, it can make it worse.
Certainly, heavy coffee consumption can lead to some unpleasant symptoms, such as: anxiety, headaches, increased blood pressure, palpitations, nausea, or restlessness.
