Drinking tea is a traditional custom in China and other Asian countries. However, tea culture has gained popularity in the United States in recent years due to its multiple health benefits. Tea is the most widely consumed beverage in the world next to water and can be found in almost 80 percent of all U.S. households, according to the Tea Association of America. The age of the emerging tea-drinking class in the United States is no longer more than 50 years old; young people in their 20s have also begun to drink tea, including Lady Gaga. Many people drink tea daily and use it as a health and wellness “secret weapon.” Recently, scientists have found that habitual tea drinking can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events by 42 percent and cognitive dysfunction by 74 percent. This suggests that tea can help prevent heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Habitual Tea Consumption Can Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
In August 2022, a study published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience claimed that a higher frequency of tea consumption had a protective effect on cognitive function. The study collected data on green tea consumption and ratings of cognitive performance from 264 adults aged 50 to 70 years. Researchers found that drinking more than 1 L of green tea per day reduced the risk of cognitive impairment by 74 percent. Even drinking as little as 300 mL per day reduced the risk of cognitive impairment by 51 percent. The researchers also addressed whether green tea could alleviate Alzheimer’s disease-related pathological changes (serum pTau and total Aβ-amyloid), and improve resistance to oxidative stress, which is one of the main risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease. Their findings seem to suggest that drinking tea may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease in middle-aged and older populations.What is the science behind green tea’s reduction of Alzheimer’s disease? The answer is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a key substance for improving cognitive function, which is found in green tea extract, according to a recent study. Many studies have demonstrated the important role of EGCG in neuroprotection. In addition, it may be associated with rescuing nerve cells, promoting nerve growth, and promoting nerve cell survival.
