Alzheimer’s is among the most dreaded cognitive disorders that affect millions across the world. Not only does it slowly damage your memory and thinking, but it also brings about a change in your overall behaviour and personality.
Being the most common type of dementia, experts believe there are more than 50 million people globally who live with this condition.
While a search is on to find a solution to treat Alzheimer’s, there are a few expert-backed tips you must follow to delay the onset and slow the symptoms. Drinking a cup of green tea – low in caffeine – can do the trick.
How does green tea help against cognitive decline?
According to a recent study, a daily cup of green tea – packed with the powerful antioxidant EGCG, also known as epigallocatechin-3 gallate – helps protect against free radical-induced damage by scavenging reactive oxygen species and chelating metal ions like iron and copper, which contribute to oxidative stress. It also influences cellular pathways, which enhances natural antioxidants and signalling processes that contribute to health benefits for the heart and metabolic disorders.
Also, green tea has vitamin B3 nicotinamide, which rejuvenates ageing brain cells and clears harmful protein buildup linked to Alzheimer’s.
The most recent study conducted by the University of California, Irvine, has found that EGCG becomes even more effective at supporting an ageing brain when it is combined with nicotinamide – a form of vitamin B3. The two help restore energy to the brain by recycling a critical energy molecule known as guanosine triphosphate, or GTP.
Also, both EGCG and vitamin B3 make sure GTP stays at youthful levels while boosting the ability of the brain cells to clear amyloid-beta, a protein that is closely linked to Alzheimer’s. Also, they help in lowering oxidative stress, which thereby enhances healthier metabolism and cellular cleanup.
Other benefits of drinking green tea
Apart from strengthening your brain, a few other benefits of drinking green tea include:
Weight loss
Many studies show that drinking green tea helps with weight loss. Consuming more than four cups of green tea daily is linked with a more than 40 per cent lower chance of abdominal obesity – but the effect is mostly for women.
Regulates blood sugar levels
According to experts, green tea also helps reduce blood sugar while fasting in the short term. A recent study conducted in China suggested a 10 per cent lower chance of death from type 2 diabetes for those who drink a cup daily.
Lowers the risk of cancer
Even though the evidence is mixed, studies have linked drinking green tea with a reduced chance of developing some types of cancer, like lung cancer or ovarian cancer.
How much green tea should you drink in a day?
Experts believe that it may be good for your health to drink at least two to three cups of green tea daily. However, you need to make sure that it does not contain caffeine or has very little of it for maximum benefits that you can reap.