Green Tea Inhibits Cognitive Impairment

SENDAI, Japan--Green tea intake is inversely associated with cognitive impairment, according to a study published in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (83, 2, 355-61, 2006).

Researchers from the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine analyzed cross-sectional data from a community-based assessment of 1,003 Japanese subjects aged 70 years or greater. Subjects completed a self-administered questionnaire measuring frequency of green tea consumption and were evaluated for cognitive function using the Mini-Mental State Examination. Individuals who drank the least green tea (less than or equal to three cups/week) had a higher incidence of cognitive impairment than individuals who drank a moderate amount of green tea (four to six cups/week, or one cup/day). Individuals who drank greater than or equal to two cups/day had the lowest incidence of cognitive impairment. Based upon the results of the study, the researchers concluded higher consumption of green tea was associated with a lower prevalence of cognitive impairment.