Caffeine may protect you

Q: I have read articles suggesting that coffee may have health benefits, especially against dementia. As a result, I try to drink four or five 6-ounce cups a day. Does this seem sensible?

A: When coffee is roasted, compounds form that appear to have neuroprotective activity (Frontiers in Neuroscience, Oct. 12, 2018). Coffee contains compounds such as caffeic acid, quercetin, chlorogenic acid and phenylindane that contribute to this effect.

Caffeine also may be protective. A review in the journal Nutrients (Feb. 6, 2021) concludes that “caffeine may exert some beneficial effects in (Alzheimer’s disease).”

When cocoa or chocolate is added to coffee it may be even more helpful. Italian researchers reported that older people consuming two or more cups of mocha coffee daily were less depressed and had better scores on cognitive function tests (Nutrients, Feb. 6, 2021). They note: “This is the first study focused on the association between a specific coffee preparation method (i.e. mocha) and cognitive impairment and late-life depression in a homogeneous population of non-demented elderly subjects with (subcortical ischemic vascular disease).”

Q: After getting my sneakers wet during a rainstorm, I developed seriously stinky feet. I was about at my breaking point until I tried rubbing alcohol. I put it on my feet after a shower and use it as disinfectant on my shoes. My feet have been odor -free ever since.

A: Some readers have used rubbing alcohol to disinfect their shoes and reduce foot odor. It makes sense that it might help to apply alcohol to the feet as well. Other people use amber Listerine foot soaks. This mouthwash contains 26.9% alcohol.