Tea has been soaring in popularity, especially among those looking to boost metabolism or anyone wanting a java-free caffeine kick. Meanwhile, researchers have been exploring the possible benefits of tea for mental health and cognition.
While the term “tea” can be broadly applied to any infusion of herbs, fruit, flowers, or leaves, for the purposes of this article, we’re going to focus on true tea, from the Camellia sinensis plant. Tea contains many plant polyphenols, catechins, antioxidants, and other phytochemicals, and while they’re usually associated with boosting metabolism and warding off cancer, in fact, they may be just as beneficial for the brain and cognitive health.
What is caffeine?
Caffeine is probably the best known brain-booster found in tea. It’s effects are immediate: increased alertness, wakefulness, and attention. However, caffeine is a stimulant whose effects subside fairly quickly.
Uniquely, tea contains the amino acid L-Theanine which is more calming — it relaxes without inducing drowsiness. Caffeine and L-Theanine are a naturally-occurring pair found only in tea, which is why tea has been the drink of choice for monks needing concentration and focus when settling into a long meditation.
Benefits of tea for Alzheimer’s
Having a cup of tea everyday reduces the change of suffering from Alzheimers by 50 percent according to a recent study conducted on nearly 1,000 Chinese people by the National University of Singapore.
The results of the study, which are published in the “Journal of Nutrition Health & Aging,” claimed that improvements on memories were observed in almost 50 percent of the participants who were suffering from loss of memory.
The tea consumption of the participants were observed between 2003 and 2010. Additionally, the researchers collected data on the participants’ lifestyles, physical conditions, states of health and social activities.
Despite advancing technology and developments in the pharmaceutical industry, there is no medicine for memory loss and Alzheimers. Hence, scientists are looking for solutions to prevent memory loss as well as Alzheimers.
Drinking tea on regular base can improve your health
If you need to be focused, alert, have a quick reaction time, maintain short-term memory, accurately process information, and want to be in a good mood, opt for a few cups of tea. It may be a better choice for focused productivity than the ol’ cup of joe.
If, over the course of your life, you want to maintain cognitive function and memory, prevent a decline in brain function, and avoid memory loss, then drink tea regularly throughout your life. This may be particularly helpful if you have metabolic-related issues (such as Type-II Diabetes).
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