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One of the first studies to investigate the link between
green tea and brain health in humans has found that green tea consumption
is linked to a reduced prevalence of cognitive impairment.
Past cell culture and animal studies have found that green tea may protect
the brain against degenerative processes leading to Alzheimer’s and
Parkinson’s and that it can inhibit the build up of amyloid proteins
associated with Alzheimer’s. However, until now, human studies have not
been done.
In the current study, researchers analyzed data from 1,003 Japanese
subjects who had participated in a community-based "Comprehensive Geriatric
Assessment" conducted in 2002. The subjects, aged 70 or older, completed a
self-administered questionnaire that included questions about their diets,
overall physical health, lifestyle habits and the frequency and regularity of green tea
consumption. Researchers evaluated the detail of cognitive function by using the
"Mini-Mental State Examination", which measures memory, attention and
language use.
 The results indicated that higher green tea consumption was associated
with a lower prevalence of cognitive impairment.
Subjects who consumed two or more cups of
green tea per day had about half the chance of developing cognitive
impairment compared to those who
drank three cups or less each week. Participants who drank about one cup
per day also reduced their risk of mental decline, although not by as much
as those consuming two or more cups per day.
Green tea’s protective effect on cognitive function remained even after
the researchers adjusted for overall diet, smoking and exercise habits.
The study authors suggest that green tea’s potential ability to support
brain health may help explain the lower rate of Alzheimer’s disease in
Japan compared with Europe and North America.
Reference:
Kuriyama S, Hozawa A,
Ohmori K, Shimazu T, Matsui T, Ebihara S, Awata S, Nagatomi R, Arai H,
Tsuji I. Green tea consumption and cognitive function: a cross-sectional
study from the Tsurugaya Project 1. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Feb;83(2):355-61. |
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