Green Tea Consumption and Brain Health: A Potential Ally Against Dementia

A recent Japanese study suggests that drinking green tea may help protect against dementia by reducing white matter lesions (WMLs) in the brain. Researchers analyzed data from 8,766 seniors aged 65 and above, using MRI scans and self-reported green tea consumption to identify patterns. Results indicated that individuals consuming three cups of green tea daily had 3% fewer WMLs compared to those drinking one cup, while seven to eight cups reduced lesions by 6%. These differences remained significant even after adjusting for variables such as age, sex, and lifestyle. However, green tea had no notable impact on hippocampal or total brain volume, nor did it benefit individuals with depression or the APOE4 gene variant linked to Alzheimer’s disease. The study highlights cardiovascular mechanisms as a possible explanation, as green tea may positively influence blood pressure. While promising, broader, longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41538-024-00364-w