Some studies have shown that green tea has a number of
health benefits for seniors. One surprising one is that it has proven to have
the ability to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and improve overall brain health.
Studies have shown that green tea can delay the onset of dementia, protect
brain cells, and improve memory. Over the past few years, the popular drink has
shown great promise in these areas of research.
Green Tea Can Preserve and Protect Brain Cells
Research studies have shown that green tea has the ability
to protect the brain from preventing the formation of beta-amyloid plaques,
which are believed to be the cause of Alzheimer’s disease. There is an ingredient found in green tea, a flavonoid known as EGCG or
epigallocatechin-3-gallate, which is able to prevent beta-amyloid proteins from
forming, which leads to the prevention of the disease.
In addition to the insights about the effects of green tea
on beta-amyloids, researchers have also performed studies using MRI technology
to see the effects with their own eyes. Study participants were given green tea
or a placebo drink. Afterward, researchers monitored the brain activity of the
individuals while using an MRI machine. Participants who got green tea had a
remarkable increase in brain activity. The researchers also saw a “dose-response” in these people, which meant that their brain activity was greater
when they drank more green tea.
Green Tea Improves Memory Function
A study published in Psychopharmacology in March 2014
discovered that consuming green tea can work to improve the cognitive functioning
of the brain and can be used in treating individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s
disease or dementia. Half the participants of the study had been given drinks
with green tea extract, while the other half received a drink without the
extract. The researchers used an MRI machine to examine the participants who
consumed the drink with green tea extract. It was observed that those
individuals had an increase in their brain activity in areas of the brain that
control memory function.
As a result of the success of the study, researchers have
plans to perform additional tests on the possible effects of green tea on
individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia as a potential means of treating
cognitive impairments.
Green Tea as a Possible Alzheimer’s Treatment
Although there have been many promising revelations about
green tea’s effects on brain health, there is still much work to be done before
it can be used as an actual treatment for seniors with Alzheimer’s. One of the
issues are that EGCG, the main ingredient in green tea that has been shown to
improve brain function, is not available to pharmaceutical companies for
patenting. That will be limiting for clinical trials. In addition, more
research still needs to be done to get a definitive link between EGCG and brain
health to rule out other ingredients that might have an effect on cognition.
Author: Teresa Robinson is a professional blogger and
writer who loves to write about a variety of topics. Her main forte is senior
care and health and fitness. She follows the latest trends and writes about the
most effective things. Currently, she is working for Home Care Roseville, CA
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