Although the research is still in its early stages, scientists have found that coffee grounds — after undergoing a treatment process — can protect brain cells from damage caused by neurodegenerative diseases, according to the MSN news site.

Researchers hope that these new findings will eventually lead to the development of drugs that can fight neurodegenerative diseases.

Alzheimer's and Parkinson's are two diseases that currently have no cure. That's why scientists are working hard to find a breakthrough drug that can prevent them.

Researchers at the University of Texas (USA) have found a way to turn coffee grounds into medicine. Through a complex process, they have created carbon nanoparticles from caffeic acid obtained from coffee grounds.

The results showed that the drug has the ability to protect brain cells of people with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease - caused by lifestyle or environmental factors, such as obesity, age or exposure to pesticides and toxic chemicals, according to MSN.

Hope to invent a cure

The research is based on the process of extracting caffeic acid-based carbon nanoparticles from coffee grounds. Scientists heated coffee grounds samples at 200 degrees Celsius for 4 hours to create these compounds.

Test-tube experiments have shown these substances to have neuroprotective effects through their ability to scavenge free radicals, among other effects.

The results suggest that the treatment could help prevent Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease at "very early stages," according to MSN .

“Caffeic acid carbon nanoparticles have the potential to be a breakthrough in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders,” said study leader Jyotish Kumar, a doctoral student at the University of Texas. “Current treatments do not cure the disease but only help control the symptoms. Our goal is to find a cure by addressing the underlying problem.”