Drinking green tea daily could help protect brain health, according to a recent study from Japan. Researchers studied 8,766 seniors over the age of 65, comparing their green tea and coffee consumption with MRI scans of their brains.

They found a strong connection between drinking more green tea and having fewer white matter lesions — markers of brain damage linked to dementia. Coffee didn’t show the same effect, even after considering factors like age, sex, and exercise.

The study found that seniors drinking three cups of green tea a day had 3% fewer brain lesions compared to those drinking one cup. Those drinking seven to eight cups a day had 6% fewer lesions. While green tea didn’t impact overall brain size or memory centers, its ability to lower blood pressure could explain these benefits. Green tea’s antioxidants and lower caffeine levels may also play a role in keeping brains healthier.

The researchers noted that green tea didn’t show benefits for people with depression or the APOE4 gene, which is linked to Alzheimer’s. While this study adds to the growing evidence of green tea’s health benefits, more research is needed to confirm these findings. For now, adding a few more cups of green tea to your daily routine could be a simple way to support brain health.

SOURCE:

• ScienceAlert, January 14, 2025