Ground Floor Health

Green tea contains powerful antioxidants that have shown in animal and experimental models to be protective to the cells in the brain against damage from aging, as well as neurodegeneration due to specific disease processes.

The latest issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published the first study on humans that documents the neuroprotective effects of Green Tea. The study conducted in Japan on more than 1000 elderly individuals measured green tea intake over a long period of time.

Overall intake of Green Tea was matched with rates of cognitive decline based on the Mini-Mental State Examination. Individuals who had 3 cups or less per week were given an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.00. Those who consumed 4-6 cups of green tea per week had an OR of 0.62, and 2 cups or more per day had an OR of 0.46.

The data showed a definite positive effect of Green Tea on cognitive decline. However, there was no difference between the degrees of cognitive decline in each of the intake groups.

The results were also compared to black or oolong tea and coffee. Individuals who consumed mainly black tea or coffee did not exhibit a decrease in cognitive decline as was observed in Green Tea drinkers.

This study was the first to prove that Green Tea protects against cognitive decline in humans. A dose response curve was proven, however there was no difference noted in the degree of decline regardless of intake.