The health benefits of green tea are numerous. In fact, I did a Google search for health benefits of green tea and I found the following:
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Can Aid in Losing Weight
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May Help to Reduce the Risk for Cancer
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May Reduce the Risk for Heart Disease
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Can Help to Lower Blood Sugar Levels
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Powerful Antioxidant
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Supports Immunity
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Supports Bone Density
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Helps Protect the Skin from Aging
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Protects Brain Health
It’s this last health benefit of green tea that I want to focus on. How green tea can be used to bolster and protect brain health.
If you would prefer to view this information in a video format, then please click on my YouTube video below:
In a 2019 article from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention titled Subjective Cognitive Decline — A Public Health Issue they showed the following statistics:
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The subjective cognitive decline was 11.1% or 1 in 9 adults.
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For adults in the age range of 45 – 64 it was 10.8% and 11.7% if you were over the age of 65
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Men had a subjective cognitive decline of 11.3% where as for women it was 10.8%
And when they broke this out based on ethnicity the following was listed:
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10.9% for Whites
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12.8% for Blacks/African Americans
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11.0% for Hispanics
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6.7% for Asians and Pacific Islanders
Asians and Pacific Islanders range from 4 to 6% lower in cognitive decline when compared to others races.
So the question is why?
Could it be their use of green tea as part of their daily diet?
Well the research in this area seems to point in that direction. For example:
In a pooled analysis of 52,503 participants from around the world, green tea reduced the rate of multiple kinds of cognitive disorders by 35%.
Another study found that the rate of cognitive disorder was 36% lower in habitual drinkers of green tea when compared to non-habitual drinkers.
Researchers have also noted that there is a dose-response relationship. This means that the more green tea consumed, the greater the benefit as it applies to cognitive function.
Those who consumed 16 ounces of green tea per day were nearly six times more protected from cognitive health issues when compared to those who only drank 3.5 ounces per day.
These health benefits of green tea seem to come from a class of polyphenols called catechins. One is particular is EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate.
Numerous research studies has shown that the catechins found in green tea can also have an immediate effect in brain function. This included the following:
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Better performance in memory tasks
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Enhanced connectivity between areas of the brain
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Improved mental function
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Increased brain wave activity
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Reduced feelings of anxiety and depression
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Improved feelings of calmness
Whether you sip your green tea in a cup or added it to your food, this super food does have some significant health benefits. Especially as it applies to cognitive function.
If you would like to examine more on the health benefits of green tea, then the following links will help expand your understanding:
https://www.health.com/food/benefits-green-tea
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health/diet-nutrition/a43325/green-tea-benefits/
https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2021/3/green-tea-for-brain-health
I’m in the process of converting my health blogs into videos. If you’re interested, then please subscribe to my YouTube channel by clicking on the link below:
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630-936-8079
Blessing Lives Through Nitric Oxide Therapy!
Dan Hammer
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