Green tea is an anti-ageing superfood. Consuming it regularly reduces your risk of cancer and heart disease and lengthens life span.
Studies on model organisms demonstrate that chronic consumption of EGCG extends both lifespan and healthspan in mice. Furthermore, this compound prolongs telomere length while postponing replicative cell senescence.
Green tea’s stress-reducing properties (theanine) make this possible. This way, its consumption may help protect brain cells against atrophy due to stress.
Improved Memory
Green tea may enhance memory by increasing activity in certain parts of the brain and decreasing stress, both of which can contribute to memory problems. One study demonstrated that people who drank green tea had 54% lower risk of cognitive impairment compared with those who didn’t consume this beverage regularly.
Green tea’s epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), believed to help improve memory, is one of its key compounds. EGCG may cross the blood-brain barrier and stimulate nerve cells directly. Another key component is Theanine which may reduce stress while simultaneously improving focus and memory by activating dopamine receptors within the brain.
A 2023 study reported that women between 50 and 63 years of age who regularly consumed two cups of green tea daily had 54% less risk of Alzheimer’s disease compared to those who didn’t consume green tea at all. Participants in the study were interviewed about their green tea consumption habits before being tested using Montreal Cognitive Assessment tests as well as measuring serum oxidative stress biomarkers such as superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde levels and glutathione levels – in order to assess outcomes.
Another study examined the combined effects of physical exercise and green tea supplementation on the aging process of rats. Rats were divided into four groups: control group, non-exercising physical group, green tea supplementation group and dual group which performed physical exercise as well as green tea supplementation. Results demonstrated that rats in the green tea supplementation group showed improved antioxidant defenses as well as lower oxidant markers in their hippocampus, striatum and prefrontal cortex than the other three groups; additionally they performed better behaviorally during tests such as passive avoidance test and Y-maze test than all others groups.
Increased Energy
Green tea antioxidants offer protection from oxidative stress that could otherwise lead to DNA degradation, by neutralizing free radicals and protecting cells against cell mutation and disease. Studies have confirmed this observation by showing that those who drink green tea more regularly enjoy longer telomere length and thus longer lifespans than those who don’t drink as much tea.
Green tea’s anti-aging benefits can be attributed to its catechins. These compounds have been known to reduce cellular oxidative stress, inhibit tumor growth and improve skin elasticity – as well as protecting against carcinogens and environmental stressors that could otherwise have adverse health impacts on an individual. As such, green tea stands as one of the most potency natural anti-ageing supplements on the market.
Green tea contains amino acids known to reduce stress on brain function. A 2022 study of 264 adults concluded that regular green tea consumption was linked with improved cognitive and memory functions – specifically catechins found in green tea which increased working memory capacity among participants aged 50-63.
Green tea contains an amino acid called L-arginine that can help lower blood pressure and increase energy levels by acting as a vasodilator – relaxing blood vessels to increase circulation – thus helping those suffering from high blood pressure, heart issues and stroke. This can especially benefit them.
Green tea can be a refreshing beverage for most adults; however, excessive consumption can be dangerous. Common side effects may include jitters, nausea and insomnia. Furthermore, its caffeine can interact with certain medications so it is wise to consult a health care provider prior to drinking green tea or taking supplements containing theanine or l-arginine.
Reduced Risk of Cancer
Green tea’s antioxidants may reverse aging by neutralizing free radicals that damage cells and cause disease, known as free radicals. Green tea’s polyphenols neutralize these free radicals to stop them from damaging DNA; epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) appears to be responsible for much of its anti-ageing benefits.
Green tea contains an anti-ageing agent called EGCG that reverses aging by stopping telomere oxidation, the protective end caps on chromosomes that protect from shortening as we get older. A study found that people who consumed green tea had longer telomeres than those who didn’t drink tea; in fact, their average difference in length was five years – an extremely significant figure!
Green tea reverses aging by inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. Studies on animals and test tubes have demonstrated EGCG’s effectiveness against cancerous cells; its antitumor properties allow treatment with lower doses of chemotherapy drugs for cancer patients thereby saving lives while decreasing side effects.
Green tea may help lower the risk of ovarian cancer. According to one study of women diagnosed with ovarian cancer, those who drank green tea experienced less severe symptoms and recurrences compared with those who didn’t consume any green tea; possibly due to the antioxidant EGCG found within this beverage preventing free radicals from damaging healthy cells and leading to tumor development.
The research had some drawbacks; for instance, evaluation of telomere length took place with leukocytes rather than having control groups as opposed to having individual studies for comparison purposes. Yet its findings remain encouraging.
Reduced Risk of Heart Disease
Green tea is an excellent natural source of polyphenols, an antioxidant known to lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels and therefore your risk for heart disease. Polyphenols also protect against LDL (“bad”) cholesterol oxidation that increases atherosclerosis risk; one 2017 study demonstrated this to be true by finding that just two cups of unsweetened green tea per day significantly lowered total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol levels in individuals who had both elevated total and LDL levels as well as lower HDL (“good”) levels compared to their counterparts with elevated total and LDL (“bad”) levels but low HDL (“good”) ones.
Green, black and oolong teas are all produced from Camellia sinensis leaves; however, green is the most potent variety, boasting the highest antioxidant count and touted for supporting cardiovascular health, regulating blood pressure, preventing diabetes as well as improving skin complexion and hair texture.
Scientists have recently made an exciting discovery: drinking green tea may help slow biological aging. Studies have revealed that EGCG can extend rat lifespan and increase activity of telomerase (an enzyme which keeps telomeres from shortening). Furthermore, another recent study revealed that green tea consumption could slow Alzheimer’s progression and improve memory in older adults.
Researchers from China Multiethnic Cohort Study and UK Biobank conducted studies with 7931 participants aged 30-79 years from CMEC and 5998 people aged 37-73 from UKB who reported their tea consumption on questionnaires. Both cohorts were followed over time to analyze any association between tea consumption and KDM-BA acceleration; results demonstrated a strong linear relationship between green tea consumption and attenuated biological aging; this magnitude of association being smaller for CMEC than UKB; further analyses using cox proportional hazard models confirmed this trend.
Reduced Risk of Dementia
Green tea’s antioxidants can reduce oxidative stress associated with aging. One study demonstrated this by finding a reduction in carbonyl protein levels suppressed brain atrophy and cognitive impairment among aged mice who consumed green tea catechins; catechins also prevented the decline of glutathione peroxidase activity that is essential to the reduction of hydrogen and lipid peroxides present in proteins – an accumulation of which contributes significantly to dementia development.
Studies with mice demonstrated that EGCG can suppress beta-amyloid protein accumulation (Ab), an early indicator of Alzheimer’s disease. Furthermore, studies revealed it to reduce Ab pathology by inhibiting tau aggregation and protecting brain cells against oxidative damage. Furthermore, studies demonstrated it reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines while simultaneously increasing anti-inflammatory ones and suppressing astrocyte activation while encouraging microglial activation.
An analysis conducted with 377 592 older adults from the UK Biobank used prospective cohort analysis to investigate whether tea consumption and dementia risk are related. Participants were divided into groups according to frequency of drinking tea, and Kaplan-Meier curves for dementia incidence were plotted. Results demonstrated that those who consumed more tea had lower risks for developing dementia than those who consumed the least; results were adjusted for age at baseline, gender and genetic testing for APOE4 gene variant, known to increase dementia risk.
Results from the study demonstrate that tea consumption reduces one’s risk of dementia over time, with three cups per day being most protective – evidence for which was both linear and quadratic trends.
