Green Tea Is Inversely Related to Cognitive Impairment
in Humans
Background: There is a growing body of
animal research indicating that green tea may protect brain cells from damage
and even improve the ability to think and remember. This study, part of the
Tsurugaya Project 1, was designed to find out if there is a link between green
tea consumption and cognitive impairment (difficulty in thinking and
remembering) in humans.
Participants: 1,003 men and women age 70
or older
Where: Japan
Type of study: Cross-sectional
Study Methods: The volunteers completed a
self-administered questionnaire that included questions about their green tea
consumption. Then their cognitive function was evaluated using the Mini-Mental
State Examination.
What happened: Compared to those who
drank very little green tea (no more than 3 cups per week), those who drank 4-6
cups per week were one-third less likely to develop cognitive impairment.
However, those who drank more than 2 cups of green tea per day were less
than half as likely to develop cognitive impairment.
Researchers' conclusion: "A higher
consumption of green tea is associated with a lower prevalence of cognitive
impairment in humans."
Citation: Kuriyama S, Hozawa A, Ohmori K,
et al. Green tea consumption and cognitive function: a cross-sectional study
from the Tsurugaya Project 1. Am J Clin Nutr 2006;83(2):355-61. (Click here to read PubMed study
abstract.)
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Nadine Taylor, M.S., R.D. presents
GreenTeaLibrary.com,
the most comprehensive collection of scientific information
describing the health benefits of green tea. |
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