Out of all the superfoods, green tea is one of the most popular. This isn’t surprising since the healthy beverage offers various benefits, such as promoting weight loss, boosting heart health and your metabolism, strengthening your immunity and lowering your risk of developing cancer.

According to a study published in the journal Psychopharmacology, green tea may also help improve brain function.

Studies have shown that green tea’s benefits come the drink’s antioxidant content, along with catechins and other bioactive compounds.

The catechins and epicatechins in green tea belong to a group of plant chemicals called flavonoids. Some studies have shown that flavonoids in green tea help fight inflammation, which then helps reduce plaque buildup inside arteries.

Compared to black tea, green tea has slightly higher amounts of these chemicals. Both black and green tea also contain at least 20 to 45 milligrams of caffeine per 8-ounce cup, or about half the amount of caffeine in the same amount of coffee.

Swiss study reveals the brain-boosting benefits of green tea

Findings from the have revealed that green tea is linked to an improvement in working memory and general brain power.

For the study, researchers from the University of Basel in Switzerland analyzed the link between green tea consumption and improved cognitive function, along with working memory.

The study participants were given green tea extracts, after which the scientists examined various aspects of their brain function.

Results showed that green tea extract holds potential as a natural treatment for memory loss and other forms of cognitive dysfunction.

Earlier studies have previously looked into the anti-cancer benefits of bioactive compounds in green tea and breast cancer in women. However, this study was the first to examine the cognitive benefits of compounds in the superfood and its effect on brain health and cognitive function.

Green tea and brain connectivity

The study involved a team of scientists led by Professor Christoph Beglinger of the University Hospital of Basel and Professor Stefan Borgwardt from the Psychiatric University Clinic.

Findings showed that green tea extract helped boost brain function due to its positive effect on brain connectivity. This means that the bioactive compounds in the tea significantly improved communication between the different parts of the brain.

Improving communication resulted in better brain performance, particularly in areas associated with working memory. The researchers reported that the volunteers received higher scores after they received the green tea extract.

Specifically, this study looked at a group of otherwise healthy men and gave them a beverage containing green tea extract before going through a series of tests to measure cognitive performance. Analysis through MRIs found that the men had increased communication between the frontal cortex and parietal lobe of the brain, and it was this that was likely responsible for the enhanced mental performance.

This research might open up exciting new opportunities for research, especially in the area of geriatrics, where numbers of patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia continue to grow. With further development, these findings might eventually translate into superfoods as a natural remedy for those who struggle with memory loss and other cognitive challenges.

When choosing green tea, avoid bottled teas that contain too much sugar. Adding a bit of sugar in a home-brewed tea is fine if you want a sweeter beverage.

When buying green tea products, double-check the labels and choose pure, unadulterated tea. Better yet, save money and brew a soothing cup of tea right at home.

Sources:

MedicalDaily.com

Health.Harvard.edu