A study published in npj Science of Food suggests that green tea may have protective benefits for brain health.
The research indicates that the beverage could play a role in preserving cognitive function as we age.
The findings highlight the potential advantages of including green tea in our diet for maintaining brain health!
<h3>The Impact of Green Tea on Brain Health</h3>
Green tea is well-known for its benefits in supporting weight loss, but a recent study uncovers an additional advantage—it may also contribute to better brain health.
While its role in weight management is well-established, this new research emphasizes green tea’s potential to protect cognitive function and reduce the risk of age-related mental decline.
The study shows that consuming green tea can help improve brain health by decreasing the occurrence of cerebral white matter lesions. These lesions, which tend to develop with age, are often linked to small vessel diseases that can contribute to cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s, and vascular dementia.
According to the American Brain Foundation, small vessel diseases occur when brain arteries narrow due to inflammation or the buildup of misfolded proteins. Furthermore, the research also examined the size of the hippocampus, a crucial region for memory.
<h3>Recommended Green Tea Intake for Brain Health</h3>
The study’s findings revealed that individuals who drank green tea had fewer white matter lesions in their brains. After analyzing the data, researchers recommended a specific amount of green tea intake for optimal brain health.
Participants who consumed 600 ml of green tea daily experienced 3% less brain damage (white matter lesions) compared to those who drank 200 ml or less. This suggests that drinking approximately three cups of green tea per day could be beneficial.
Green tea is also packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which may help reduce vascular damage in the brain.
Interestingly, the study also compared coffee with green tea and found that coffee did not significantly affect white matter lesions, unlike green tea. This offers another reason to consider replacing coffee with green tea, as it may provide additional health benefits for brain function.