Consuming More Green Tea Daily Reduces the Risk of Brain Lesions Associated with Dementia

A recent study connects green tea consumption with a reduced number of white matter lesions in the brains of Japanese seniors, potentially offering protection against dementia.

Researchers from various Japanese institutions analyzed data from 8,766 volunteers aged 65 and older, gathered during a survey conducted between 2016 and 2018.

Self-reported data on green tea and coffee consumption was compared with MRI brain scans, which measured overall brain volume and features of five different brain regions.

Green Tea Linked to Fewer Brain Lesions

Although the study doesn’t establish direct cause and effect—since it was based on a single timepoint—adjustments were made for factors such as age, sex, exercise, and education level. These adjustments indicate a strong connection between green tea consumption and a lower volume of harmful lesions in the brain.

Study Finds Link Between Green Tea and Fewer Brain Lesions in Older Adults

“This cross-sectional study found a notable link between higher green tea consumption and fewer cerebral white matter lesions, but not coffee consumption, in older adults without dementia, even after accounting for confounding factors,” the researchers noted in their published paper.

On average, individuals who drank three cups of green tea daily had 3 percent fewer white matter lesions than those who had just one cup. Those consuming seven to eight cups daily had 6 percent fewer lesions compared to the one-cup group.

While the difference is statistically significant, green tea intake didn’t appear to affect hippocampal volume or overall brain volume, which are also indicators of cognitive decline.

It’s also important to highlight that green tea consumption didn’t seem to have any effect on individuals diagnosed with depression or those with the APOE4 gene variant associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Potential Cardiovascular Mechanism Behind Green Tea’s Benefits

Considering previous studies linking green tea to lower blood pressure and other research showing a connection between lower blood pressure and reduced dementia risk, one possible mechanism behind these results could be cardiovascular.

“Additionally, green tea contains less caffeine than coffee, which can negatively impact blood pressure, suggesting that green tea may have a more positive effect on white matter lesions,” the researchers explain.

Green tea has already been linked to benefits like weight management and cancer cell destruction, and it seems there are still more potential advantages to uncover, thanks to its antioxidant-rich components like catechins.

The researchers plan to expand their work, as all the participants in this study were Japanese, which introduces genetic and lifestyle factors. Future research could involve a broader population.

“Our findings suggest that drinking green tea, particularly three or more cups per day, may help prevent dementia,” the researchers conclude. “However, further prospective longitudinal studies and basic research are necessary to confirm these results.”

Read the original article on: Science Alert

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