As we age, our concern about the sharpness of our memory grows. We look for sophisticated supplements and healthy eating strategies to alleviate our worries and reduce the risk of dementia. However, we may not have to look further than our tea cabinets to find a memory-enhancing treatment. A new study found that drinking three cups of tea a day correlates with a lower risk of dementia.
A Closer Look at the Research
For the study, which was published in translational psychiatry, the researchers collected data from 500,000 participants enrolled in a UK Biobank study. (The UK Biobank is a biomedical database based on medical and genetic information from volunteers. Researchers around the world use it to conduct their own studies.)
After narrowing down the number of volunteers based on certain criteria, the researchers included data from 377,592 participants in their study. The volunteers were between the ages of 45 and 73 and agreed to follow-up after nine years. Anyone who had a diagnosis of dementia at the start of the study was excluded.
All the volunteers filled out a questionnaire that asked, “how many cups of tea do you drink a day?” and “what kind?” (green or black). Based on this information, the researchers divided the volunteers into six categories, from those who did not drink tea to those who drank nine or more cups a day.
After analyzing the volunteers’ health nine years later, the researchers found that tea drinkers were 16 percent less likely to develop dementia than non-drinkers. Those who drank three to four cups a day had the lowest risk.
However, not all tea drinkers have reaped the benefits. Heavy drinkers (six cups or more a day) had a similar risk of dementia as non-drinkers. (Everything in moderation!)
Why tea could reduce the risk of dementia
Researchers theorize that black and green tea contain antioxidants, which may reduce the amount of oxidative stress in the brain. (Oxidative stress is a free radical imbalance and antioxidants in your body. Too many free radicals can cause excess cell damage.) Antioxidants can reduce inflammation in the brain (neuroinflammation), and a growing body of research suggests that inflammation plays a role in the development of dementia.
In addition, researchers believe that caffeine does more than just “wake up the brain.” It can protect against something called ischemic nerve injury — or cell damage caused by low blood flow. In other words, caffeine can help promote circulation to the brain, which promotes healthy memory function.
Of course, the research was not without limitations. Since the volunteers reported their tea consumption, the accuracy of their answers was in doubt. Also, a cup of tea was loosely defined: one volunteer might have thought of a cup as a huge cup, while another thought of it as a cup of tea, for example.
Still, the results are impressive, and drinking tea more often has its benefits! It’s easy to find delicious ways to dress it up, from adding sweet coconut milk to your Green Tea to make iced black tea with milk and honey. (Remember to check with your doctor before adding caffeinated tea to your diet, especially if you take medications for asthma, seizures, or diabetes. See a full list of caffeine interactions here.)
And if you’re looking for other easy ways to reduce your risk of dementia, take a look at these tips.
