Green tea has long been hailed as
a cardio-protective beverage due to its ability to lower levels of oxidized LDL
cholesterol, an established heart disease risk factor. It has also been shown
to promote brain health because the active compound, EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate) freely crosses the
blood-brain barrier to provide antioxidant support and lower damaging levels of
brain inflammation.
Researchers from Japan reporting in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition demonstrate that regular green tea
consumption lowers the risk of developing functional disabilities that lead to problems
with daily chores and activities, such as bathing or dressing. Drinking up to
five cups of green tea each day can lower the risk of developing functional
disabilities as we age by nearly one half.
Daily Green Tea Consumption Significantly Lowers Risk of Functional
Decline
Prior studies have determined
that consuming green
tea lowers the risk of diseases associated with functional disability, such
as osteoporosis, cognitive impairment and stroke. To date, no formal studies
have been conducted to confirm the impact of green tea consumption on
functional ability. Researchers from Tohoku University Graduate School of
Medicine in Japan modeled this study to affirm the positive results associated
in the past with drinking green tea.
To design this research work, scientists
handed out questionnaires to nearly 14,000 respondents aged 65 or older. The
participants answered questions about general diet, green tea consumption and
lifestyle. After a period of five years, researchers were able to find a close
inverse link between functional disability risk and the consumption of green
tea. Higher intake of green tea was associated with a dramatically lower risk
of functional disability in the group studied.
Green Tea Drinking Lowers Risk of Functional Disability in the Elderly
The research team concluded that nearly
13% of the participants consuming the lowest amount of green tea (one cup or
less each day) developed moderate to severe degrees of functional disability.
By contrast, only 7% of those consuming the highest amount of green tea (5 cups
or more each day) were classified with any degree of functional decline. The
highest level of green tea consumption was shown to cut the risk of functional
and cognitive decline by close to one-half.
The researchers noted that those
consuming five or more cups of green tea each day also ate more fruit and
vegetables, consumed more fish, were less likely to smoke, had fewer strokes or
heart attacks, and tended to have a higher level of education. Improved dietary
and lifestyle considerations are synergistic factors that compliment green tea
consumption and likely contribute to the positive results in this study.
Health-minded individuals already follow strict dietary principles to maintain
brain health and functional abilities. Drinking 5 or more cups of green tea
each day are shown to boost the healthy benefits associated with proper
nutrition and lifestyle.
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