Could Coffee Hold The Key To Preventing Alzheimer's Disease?

DETROIT (WWJ) - Here's something to think about as you sip your morning cup of joe: more evidence has shown coffee may help protect against Alzheimer's disease.

According to researchers in Florida, there is a mystery ingredient in coffee that interacts with the caffeine in the drink. This interaction reduces the production of an abnormal protein suspected of causing Alzheimer's disease.

Researchers say the special protection only comes in caffeinated coffee, not in decaf and especially not in other caffeinated drinks.

The next step is to identify this mystery compound so that coffee and other drinks could be mixed with it to provide longtime protection against Alzheimer's.

Listen to Deena Centofanti's report: