Daily Green Tea Intake Delays Memory Regression in
Aged Mice
Background: The mouse is considered a
good model of brain aging as it shows signs of brain atrophy and cognitive
dysfunction and has a short lifespan. Because oxidative stress is implicated in
the aging of the brain, researchers decided to test green tea (a potent
antioxidant) in mice genetically programmed to age rapidly.
Type of study: Animal
Study description: The mice were divided
into two groups: one group received water containing green tea catechins (about
35 mg per kg of body weight per day) from age 1 month to 15 months. The other
group received plain water.
What happened: The green tea catechins
prevented both memory regression and DNA oxidative damage. While the mice
receiving the green tea catechins did not live longer than those receiving plain
water, the aging of their brains was delayed.
Researchers' conclusion: "These findings
suggest that continued intake of GT-catechin might promote healthy ageing of the
brain in older persons."
Citation: Unno K,
Takabayashi F, Yoshida H, et al. Daily consumption of green tea catechin delays
memory regression in aged mice. Biogerontology
2007;8(2):89-95. (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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