Insights & Discussion
Habitual and high-frequency tea consumption, particularly green tea, is associated with a reduced prevalence of cognitive impairment in middle-aged and older individuals.
The methodology of the study drew upon data from the Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities in Community study involving individuals over 40. Through a standardized questionnaire, information regarding participants' tea consumption habits – including frequency and type of tea – was collected. Cognitive function was then evaluated utilizing two recognized tests: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Two distinct participant groups were chosen for these assessments: MMSE and MoCA subgroups.
The researchers found, after accounting for potential confounding factors, that usual and high frequency tea intake correlated with a decreased risk of cognitive impairment. Further analysis showed that this risk reduction was notably high for green tea drinkers than for consumers of other tea types, as indicated by the MMSE test. A similar pattern was observed in the results of the MoCA group, showing a consistent association between regular tea intake, especially green, and lower prevalence of mental decline.
Discover Related Insights
Daily consumption of decaffeinated green tea catechins may enhance working memory.
2020 Molecules Effect of Daily Intake of Green Tea Catechins on Cognitive Function in Middle-Aged and Older Subjects: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study Baba Y, Inagaki S, Nakagawa S, Kaneko T, Kobayashi M, Takihara T
Randomised Controlled Trial Cognitive Function Green Tea Green Tea Catechin
The study incorporated a double-blind, randomized, controlled approach to determine the effects of 336.4 mg of decaffeinated green tea catechins on cognitive function. It targeted Japanese adults, aged 50 to 69 years, exhibiting a Mini-Mental State Examination Japanese version score of over 24 and who self-identified as having cognitive decline. The experiment comprised administering a substance and then examining the cognitive function post a single dosage as well as following 12 weeks of everyday consumption. The Cognitrax testing battery was utilized to assess cognitive function.
In the results, it was observed that the incorrect response rate on the Continuous Performance Test significantly fell after a single dosage of green tea catechins. After 12 weeks of regular intake, the response duration for the two-back test in Part 4 of the 4-part Continuous Performance Test reduced, indicating potential improvement in working memory. The data suggests that consuming green tea catechins daily may potentially lead to cognitive enhancements, particularly in working memory.
Green tea consumption was shown to reduce psychopathological symptoms like anxiety and was also shown to effect cognition, with noted benefits for memory and attention. Green tea was also linked with the activation of working memory as seen in functional MRI.
2017 Phytomedicine Green tea effects on cognition, mood and human brain function: A systematic review Mancini E, Beglinger C, Drewe J, Zanchi D, Lang UE, Borgwardt S
Systematic Review Anxiety Cognitive Function Green Tea
The effects of green tea cannot be attributed to a single constituent of the beverage. This is exemplified in the finding that beneficial green tea effects on cognition are observed under the combined influence of both caffeine and l-theanine, whereas separate administration of either substance was found to have a lesser impact.