Coffee Isn’t the Only Drink That Could Ward Off Dementia

Drinking coffee is associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. But it isn’t the only caffeinated beverage that could protect brain health.

A recent scientific study — published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging — suggests that green tea lowers the risk of dementia.

Researchers looked at data from more than 13,000 Japanese people between the ages of 40 and 74, who were followed for an average of 11.5 years.

Their risk of developing dementia during the study period decreased by 4.8% for every 150-milliliter increase in daily green tea consumption. (That’s equivalent to about 5 fluid ounces or 0.6 cup in the U.S.)

Participants who drank the most green tea per day — at least 600 milliliters — had the lowest risk of developing dementia compared with those who consumed the least. (600 milliliters is equivalent to about 20 fluid ounces or 2.5 cups in the U.S.)

“The effect of green tea on dementia is thought to be attributable to bioactive compounds found in green tea, such as catechins,” the study authors write. “Green tea also contains caffeine (20 mg/100 mL), which has neuroprotective effects that may contribute to the prevention of dementia.”

Catechins are natural compounds found in certain foods and are known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The study notes that green tea has more catechins than other types of tea, including about four times as much as black tea.

Prior studies have found many other health benefits associated with drinking green tea. They range from lowering blood sugar to reducing stress.

Don’t overdo it with green tea and coffee thinking that you can further improve your odds of avoiding dementia, though.

The study found that drinking at least 600 milliliters of green tea and at least 300 milliliters of coffee per day was not associated with an additional decrease in dementia risk.

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In fact, the authors note that “excessive consumption of both green tea and coffee is not recommended for the prevention of dementia.”

Instead, they call for additional studies that look into exactly what amount green tea consumption offers the greatest benefit in terms of lowering the risk of dementia.

To learn about other antioxidants associated with a lower risk of dementia, check out “5 Nutrients That Might Stop Alzheimer’s — and Foods Rich in Them.”