Air date: October 30, 2011

Host: Jeremy Shere, PhD

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Did you Know? is presented by Wishard Health Services, becoming Eskenazi Health in 2014.

I’m Jeremy Shere.

Caffeine has all sorts of health benefits. But did you know that caffeinated coffee may help ward off depression in women?

A recently published study found that women who drink two to three cups of caffeinated coffee a day are 15% less likely to become depressed than women who drink fewer cups. Women who drank even more coffee, four cups or more, had an even lower risk for depression.

Scientists don’t yet know how or why caffeine has this effect. But they suspect that it works by binding to brain cell receptors for chemicals that affect mood. Scientists are also not willing to come right out and say that drinking more coffee can or will prevent depression in all cases. Too little caffeine seems to have no effect, while too much caffeine can increase anxiety, which can lead to depression.

And now you know.

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Did you Know is presented by Wishard Health Services, becoming Eskenazi Health in 2014.

Additional Resources:

• Read about the research study that found caffeinated coffee may ward off depression in women.