Drinking tea or coffee is part of the routine of millions of people. But according to a Japanese study, it is green tea that stands out. Researchers at Kanazawa University observed that regular consumption of this drink was linked to a reduction in lesions in the white matter of the brain, a known marker of cognitive decline, vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Measurable effects on brain health
Conducted between 2016 and 2018 on 8,766 participants aged 65 and over, this study excluded anyone already suffering from dementia. The volunteers took MRI scans and completed detailed questionnaires about their green tea and coffee consumption. The researchers then compared the brain lesion volumes, as well as the total volume of the brain and the hippocampus, a key memory region.
And the results are striking: participants who drank around 600 ml of green tea per day had a 3% lower volume of white matter lesions than those who consumed less than 200 ml. Among those who reached 1,500 ml daily, the reduction reached 6%. On the other hand, no notable difference was observed between coffee consumers and others.
These results suggest that the antioxidants in green tea, particularly catechins, play a key role in the protection of small cerebral vessels. These molecules, known for their anti-inflammatory properties, would help preserve long-term neuronal health.
Green tea, an ally for healthy aging
If it does not replace a balanced lifestyle, green tea could become a beneficial reflex with age. By limiting silent brain damage, it would help delay the onset of memory disorders and maintain cognitive functions for longer.
According to the authors, these results encourage integrating this ancient drink into a balanced daily diet, without excess but with regularity. An extra cup every day could well be a discreet investment… for a brain in great shape.