Green Tea Linked to Reduced Brain Lesions in Older Adults

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Green Tea Linked to Reduced Brain Lesions in Older Adults

Asked by terryaster at 6:56am on Jan 15 2025

A study from Kanazawa University's Graduate School of Medical Sciences has found a strong link between higher green tea consumption and reduced cerebral white matter lesions in older adults without dementia. Drinking three or more glasses of green tea daily may support brain health, while coffee consumption showed no significant effect.

Green tea and coffee, both rich in neuroprotective compounds, are globally popular beverages. Previous studies have linked them to cognitive benefits, but their direct effects on brain structure in older adults remain underexplored.

Cerebral white matter lesions, which indicate small vessel disease, are associated with cognitive decline, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. The study investigated how green tea and coffee consumption affect white matter lesion volume, hippocampal volume, and total brain volume, using MRI data.

Published in npj Science of Food, the research was part of the Japan Prospective Studies Collaboration for Aging and Dementia. This large-scale observational study, conducted between 2016 and 2018, involved eight research centers across Japan. Data from 8,766 participants aged 65 and older were analyzed, including dietary intake, MRI scans, and cognitive assessments.

Green tea and coffee consumption were measured using a Food Frequency Questionnaire, with intake categorized into four levels: 0–200 ml, 201–400 ml, 401–600 ml, and ≥601 ml. Advanced statistical models accounted for confounding factors such as demographics, health conditions, lifestyle habits, and genetic risks for Alzheimer’s.

After excluding participants with mild cognitive impairment, dementia, or incomplete data, the study found that higher green tea consumption correlated with lower white matter lesion volumes. Those consuming 600 ml of green tea daily had white matter lesion volumes 3% lower than individuals consuming 200 ml or less, while those drinking 1,500 ml daily saw a 6% reduction.

No associations were found between green tea intake and hippocampal or total brain volumes. Similarly, coffee consumption did not significantly affect any of the measured brain volumes.

Subgroup analysis revealed that the reduction in white matter lesions with increased green tea consumption was significant only in participants without depression or the ApoE ε4 allele, a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s.

Researchers suggest that the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of green tea catechins, such as epigallocatechin gallate, may reduce vascular damage and protect brain health. However, the study did not experimentally validate specific components as causal.

These findings highlight the potential of green tea as a dietary measure to support brain health and mitigate age-related changes in brain structure.

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