COFFEE-drinkers were today buzzing from something else today after it emerged a caffeine high could help in the fight against dementia.New research suggests the drink, which has already been linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease, protects the central nervous system from potentially harmful chemicals carried in the bloodstream.

COFFEE-drinkers were today buzzing from something else today after it emerged a caffeine high could help in the fight against dementia.

New research suggests the drink, which has already been linked to a lower risk of Alzheimer's disease, protects the central nervous system from potentially harmful chemicals carried in the bloodstream.

A study by the University of North Dakota used the equivalent to just one daily cup of coffee in their experiments on rabbits.

After 12 weeks of a high-cholesterol diet, the “blood brain barrier” in those given caffeine was far more intact than in those given no caffeine.

As experts now look forward to more research into whether the same effect could be seen in humans, ROSIE PEARCE The Evening Star went to see if coffee-house frequenters in Ipswich shared the same optimism.

SUSANNA Korznerwska, the manager of Caffé Nero, finds that the simple Americano is the most popular drink of choice for customers. She believes there's a simple reason that coffee shops are successful and popular: “It's the easy way to have coffee.”

At the café they find that most takeaway orders are made in the morning, as customers use their lunch hour to properly relax with a coffee while sitting in. She didn't think the reports about Alzheimer's research would have an effect on custom.

CHRISTIAN Bargot, who was visiting Ipswich from Poland, said that he drinks “much too much” coffee, but as he lived in Colombia, the coffee capital of the world, for four years, this may not be too surprising!

He was brought up drinking coffee and declares himself to be a 'coffee addict.'

However he added: “If you drink everything in moderation it's OK.” He thought that we should probably listen to reports about the health concerns and benefits of coffee, but was not sure that people do take notice.

THE beverage of choice for Karen Woodman, of Valley Road, Leiston, is black coffee. Working with mental health patients, she says that she does take notice of such reports as that about Alzheimer's, although she hadn't heard about this specific study.

She didsn't think that she herself drinks too much, and believed that more and more people were choosing the healthy options like fruit teas, as she herself was drinking.

REBECCA Adams, of Clifton Wood, Holbrook, chooses iced latté as her favourite coffee variety. However, she drinks coffee rarely and so is not worried about her own intake. As far as research into the health benefits or problems of drinking coffee is concerned, she said: “Wheter I take notice depends on what proof there is.” She didn't think that the study was necessarily worth any interest as it was carried out on rabbits.

JILL Webb, of Fishponds Lane, Holbrook, drinks two to three cups of coffee a day, her favourite type being latté. She doesn't think that she drinks too much, and in general doesn't take much notice of health reports about coffee. She hadn't heard about the new Alzheimer's study and said that 'there is a new report every day,' so there was little use in living by them.

JOHN Huw Evans, of Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, drinks '”a couple of mugs” of coffee every day, and doesn't think that he drinks too much, although he used to! Of the new report, he said: “I'd like to think that it's true but I'm not sure about how reliable it is.”

He visits the coffee house every day and thinks it's nice just to sit and relax while enjoying a cup of coffee, rather than just rushing with a takeaway drink.