A recent study demonstrates that green tea may aid in preserving brain health as we grow older. Throughout history, many have praised the health benefits of green tea, suggesting it can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, support skin health, aid in weight loss, and even lower the risk of dementia. This new study from Japan offers additional insight, indicating that regular consumption of green tea could potentially combat cognitive decline and decrease the risk of dementia. Older individuals who regularly consumed green tea showed a reduction in brain lesions associated with dementia compared to non-drinkers. The study, published in npj Science of Food, suggests that green tea consumption may help prevent dementia by reducing cerebral white matter lesions. While the findings are promising, caution is advised when interpreting them, considering factors such as lifestyle and dietary habits that could also influence the results. Green tea is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols, offering a range of health benefits, including potential cancer-fighting properties, weight loss support, anti-inflammatory effects on the skin and cardiovascular system, and cognitive benefits. The study involved nearly 9,000 adults from the Japan Prospective Studies Collaboration for Aging and Dementia between 2016 and 2018. Participants’ green tea and coffee consumption was recorded through a Food Frequency Questionnaire, and MRI scans were used to assess brain health indicators. After adjusting for various factors, the researchers found a notable connection between higher green tea consumption and fewer cerebral white matter lesions. Further analysis explored the impact of depression and genetic factors on the results.
The study did not find an association between coffee consumption and brain volume, unlike green tea. Green tea contains catechins like EGCG, which have neuroprotective properties, fighting oxidative stress and inflammation while inhibiting beta-amyloid aggregation. This unique composition of catechins in green tea may be more effective against white matter lesions compared to coffee, which mainly contains chlorogenic acid and caffeine.
However, the beneficial effects of green tea were not observed in participants with the APOE e4 allele or those with depression. In these individuals, green tea did not show a reduction in brain lesions, possibly due to the influences of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress associated with depression, or the genetic predisposition linked to APOE e4 carriers.
Although green tea has been shown to have antioxidant properties that can combat inflammation and reduce the risk of chronic and age-related diseases, the study had limitations. It was a cross-sectional study, making it challenging to establish a causal relationship between green tea consumption and reduced white matter lesions. There were also variables such as brewing methods and additional consumption of green tea in snacks that were not accounted for in the study.
Further research is needed to explore the impact of green tea consumption on diverse populations, different ethnic groups, and in various regions. It is important to investigate how genetic and lifestyle factors may affect the benefits of green tea, particularly in specific subgroups like individuals with depression or the APOE e4 allele.
While green tea is generally safe, excessive consumption (over 3-4 cups per day) may lead to side effects such as insomnia, gastrointestinal discomfort, or liver damage due to high levels of caffeine or catechins. Long-term studies are necessary to evaluate the impact of green tea on dementia progression and cognitive decline, as well as comparative analyses to assess its effectiveness compared to other dietary interventions in preventing brain lesions.
“Given that cerebral white matter lesions are closely related to vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, our findings indicate that drinking green tea, especially three or more glasses per day, may help prevent dementia,” the researchers write. View the original article on Medical News Today.
