WELLNESS-A study published in the journal Nutrients showed that people who drank the equivilent of 2 to 4 cups of green tea daily improved cognitive funtion or at least decreased cognitive loss in elderly patients.
While we have suspected for years that green tea is healthy and helpful for mind an memory, this is the first study that gives us specific doses needed to improve the brain of elderly patients.
The study was only done using 12 elderly patients living at a nursing home all of which had some degree of cognitive dysfuntion. Each patient consumed 2 grams of green tea powder per day for three consecutive months. This would be roughly 2 to 4 cups of standard green tea brewed or supplements providing 227 mg of catechins and 42 mg or theanine.
The participants consumed this amount each day for 3 months at which point they were re-evaluated. The most noticeable change was the improement in the short term memory of the patients. With more research and studies of this kind, it is possible that the compounds found in green tea can become an important of mental health and helping to heal disease.
What sets green tea apart from other teas are the polyphenols. Many teas have them, but while other teas may contain 3 to 10 percent, green tea holds an abundant 30 to 40 percent. Polyphenols are micronutrients that many studies show to have preventative qualities for diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. This most recent study is one of few focusing on the health benefits of polyphenols and mental health.
The way this compound seems to work is by inhibiting the break down of the memory chemical acetylcholine.
Green tea is always a safe and healthy way to stop drinking so much coffee. There is no harm in switching to green tea instead of coffee for your early morning boost. There is still enough caffeine in green tea to have an effect and get you moving in the morning. While there are also studies showing health benefits for coffee it seems that green tea is a more all encompassing health elixer.
The suggested about is 2 to 4 cups of green tea a day or consume supplements that offer 227 mg of catechins and 42 mg of theanine. For seniors with cognitive challenges, it is a good idea to keep an eye on and possibly record their response to the green tea or supplements.
(Christian Cristiano is an acupuncturist in LA, TV host of Wellness for Realists and writes on wellness regularly for CityWatch. Christian can be reached at 323.935.3420. twitter: @CristianoWFR)
-cw
CityWatch
Vol 13 Issue 47
Pub: Jun 10, 2015
