Dementia continues to devastate countless families across the UK. Scientists are tirelessly working not only on potential treatments and a cure, but also on lifestyle changes that could mitigate risks.
Among these recommended adjustments is indulging in green tea, which some studies suggest may lower the likelihood of dementia development.
Green tea is posited to lessen the danger of amyloid beta—a key component in the brain plaques characteristic of Alzheimer’s patients—according to research insights.
Rob Hobson, a nutrition expert, discussed the possible neurological protection afforded by green tea with The Telegraph, saying: “In addition to brain changes, green tea has a potential to lower blood pressure that could contribute to its protective effects, as this is a key risk factor for cerebral white matter lesions.”
However, while green tea might offer benefits for brain health, other professionals caution that there’s still no conclusive evidence that it definitively diminishes dementia risk.
Green tea isn’t the only caffeinated drink linked with a potentially lower risk of dementia.
Last year, research indicated coffee might have similar protective effects. The investigation by Verona University, under the direction of Professor Mariapina D’Onofrio and reported by the Daily Express, explored how espresso influences brain health, reports Surrey Live.
Published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the team’s findings pointed to the possibility that compounds in espresso could diminish harmful tau proteins, which are commonly associated with dementia development.
Professor D’Onofrio elaborated on their work, saying: “Whether enjoyed on its own or mixed into a latte, Americano or even a martini, espresso provides an ultra-concentrated jolt of caffeine to coffee lovers.”
She added: “But it might do more than just wake you up. Espresso compounds can inhibit tau protein aggregation – a process that is believed to be involved in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.”
Yet, as with the green tea studies, experts caution that these claims about coffee’s role in reducing dementia risk aren’t definitive and should be considered with a healthy dose of skepticism.