Sunday, February 26, 2012

Green tea and Brain health

As you age, its good to know about how to protect the health of your brain, & in this article you might want to step up your intake of green tea!

Green Tea.  One recent 2006 study reported in American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that of 1003 Japanese men and women over age 70 - those who drank 4-6 cups of green tea per week (or 1 cup per day) lowered the incidence of problems with thinking, remembering and concentrating by 38%. And drinking 2 or more cups of green tea per day lowered the incidence of cognitive impairment by a massive 54%!

Parkinson's disease: Researchers discovered that green tea polyphenols protect dopamine neurons that increases with the amount consumed. They also show that this protective effect is mediated by inhibition of the ROS-NO pathway, a pathway that may contribute to cell death in Parkinson's. (Ref source). The BBC Website has also highlighted the potential for green tea in this area after good results from animal studies.

Others study show polyphenols influence glucose metabolism in part by helping the body regulate sensitivity to the hormone insulin, likely helps deliver a steady and even glucose supply to the brain.


No comments: