Black Tea: Preventive for Cognitive Impairment
New Study Reveals Benefits of Potential Protective Effects
Aug 14, 2008
Black tea is rich in polyphenols that act as antioxidants that detoxify the cell-damaging free radicals in the body. It has been found to block DNA damage that is associated with tobacco and other toxic chemcials. Now black tea can be used as a preventive for cognitive impairment and decline which, while associated with the elderly, can also affect even young adults. A new study has shown that regular black tea consumption is associated with lower risks of cognitive impairment and decline.
Black Tea Plants
Black tea is usually grown in the higher elevations of China, East Africa, India, Japan, and Sri Lanka. It comes from a plant, Camellia sinensis and undergoes a crushing and fermenting process. The differences in the names are based on the districts where black tea is grown. . It can be different in color, flavor, body, and aroma, in fact there are 18 different kinds of black tea.
Black Tea Health Benefits
Black tea health benefits are well known because of the antioxidants that it contains. The U.S. Department of Agriculture lists thearubigins, epicatechins and catechins among those produced by black tea which is different than those found in fruits and vegetables. These nutrients scavenge for cell-damaging free radicals and detoxify them. Black tea is the source of a specific kind of antioxidants called flavonoids. It is said to also prevent cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
Black Tea Effects on Cognitive Impairment and Decline
Black tea was used in a study reported in the July 2008 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the relationship between tea intake and cognitive impairment and decline was examined. The observational study, which was supported by the Biomedical Research Council, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, took place over a 1 and 2 year period using adult 55 years and older. The conclusion was that the black tea was associated with a lower prevalence of cognitive impairment independent of other risk factors.
Black Tea Availability
Black tea is inexpensive, nontoxic and easily available, and according to the authors of the article, “has the potential in promoting cognitive health and perhaps delaying the onset of dementia.” Over 200 cups of tea can be made from one pound of loose tea leaves. That works out to be less than ten cents for a cup. That may be the reason that it is the most popular drink. Even as little as two cups of black tea a day may make the difference.
The neurological protective effects of black tea shown in this study by Tze-Pin Neg, Lei Feng, Mathew Niti, Ed-Heok Kua and Keng-Bee Yap at the Department of Geriatric Medicine, Alexandria Hospital, in Singapore has laid the foundation for further studies which may provide advances in the use of black tea in preventing cognitive impairment and decline of adults.
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, July 2008
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