Coffee aleviates Parkinson’s disease symptoms

Published on 02/08/2012 00:00

Coffee can help tame the tremors caused by Parkinson’s disease, research has shown.

Scientists gave 61 patients caffeine pills equivalent to drinking two to four cups a day, or an inactive “dummy” treatment.

After six weeks, those taking the caffeine averaged a five-point improvement in symptom severity ratings.

“Studies have shown that people who use caffeine are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease, but this is one of the first studies in humans to show caffeine can help people who already have the disease,” said lead researcher Dr Ronald Postuma, from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.

The caffeine group also averaged a three-point improvement in speed of movement and stiffness. 
The findings are reported in the online issue of the medical journal Neurology.