Japanese cohort study reveals another benefit for green tea drinkers
Past studies have demonstrated that the consumption of green tea is linked to osteoporosis cognitive impairment, high cholesterol and more.
Now a new Japanese study approaches green tea with a different aspect; does drinking green tea lower the risk of frailty and disability as we grow old?
In this cohort study researchers followed 13,988 Japanese adults aged 65 and older. Information on daily green tea consumption and other lifestyle factors were collected from a questionnaire in 2006.
Information on functional disability were obtained from the public Long-term Care Insurance database where they were followed for three years.
The study had found those who consumed a minimum of five cups of tea daily were one-third less likely to develop disabilities in comparison who consumed less than one cup daily. Those who consumed three to four cups on a daily average basis had a 25% lower risk.
Researchers conclusion had noted that green tea consumption is significantly associated with a lower risk of incident functional disability, even after adjusting for possible confounding factors.
Even when those factors had been taken into consideration green tea was linked to a lower risk of disability according to the studies researchers Yasutake Tomata and associates at the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine.
This study appears in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Last year, researchers from Newcastle University found that regular green tea drinking just may protect the brain against developing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. The study also suggested that it may play a vital role in protecting the body against cancer.
Dr. Okello, based in the School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Department at the university stated that they found when green tea is digested by enzymes in the gut, the resulting chemicals are actually more effective against key triggers of Alzheimer's than the undigested form of the tea.
Dr. Okello further noted that they found the digested compounds had anti-cancer properties that significantly had slowed down the growth of tumor cells that were used in their experiments.
Past studies have shown polyphenols, a compound in green and black tea have neuroprotective properties binding with toxic compounds protecting the brain cells.
More and more scientific evidence keeps compiling that green tea may have an influence on diseases such as cancer, dementia and Alzheimer's. However, it has been noted that a healthy diet, plenty of exercise and a healthy lifestyle are all important.
Green tea is likely safe for most adults. However, more than five cups daily can possibly be unsafe.
Green tea can interact to many medications. Web MD has a list of interactions, warnings and cautions.
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