Here’s some good news for all of you avid tea drinkers: you might have a lower risk for dementia compared to those who aren’t fans of the drink.

This is according to a study that found that frequently drinking tea is associated with a lower risk of dementia — especially for people who are genetically predisposed to the disease.

Researchers arrived at the conclusion after tracking data sourced from 957 older adults who were part of the Singapore Longitudinal Aging Study. Of that number, the research team said, 69 percent were found to be frequent tea drinkers.

These tea drinkers had a 50 percent lower risk of dementia — a figure that the researchers said is consistent with earlier findings that showed tea consumers scored higher on various cognitive tests.

In addition, genetic tests conducted by the researchers on the group and found that tea drinkers who carried the APOE4 gene variant – a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease – also had a lower risk compared to people who had APOE4 and did not drink tea.

So, what makes tea such a wonderful brain-supporting elixir?

The secret might lie in the drink’s high concentration of potent natural compounds called flavonoids. These are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as their ability to regulate processes aligned with optimal cognitive function.

Aside from flavonoids, tea also contains high concentrations of theanine, an amino acid that is linked to optimal mental function.

In addition, tea also contains catechins, specifically epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is known to prevent brain dysfunction — amazing, right? It is because of this that tea has been considered to be an integral part of routines designed to ward off dementia and other issues related to the loss of your cognitive function, such as forgetfulness, inability to concentrate, mood swings, loss of direction, apathy and anxiety.

With that said, here are some of the best tea varieties that you can add to your diet:

White Tea

White tea is the least processed tea variety and known both for its delicate flavor and its high level of antioxidants.

Aside from helping ward off cognitive issues, white tea may also be good for your teeth since it contains catechins and tannins that can strengthen teeth and fight plaque.

White tea, according to experts, also contains only a small amount of caffeine, making it a good choice for those who want to avoid or limit their caffeine consumption.

Green Tea

Much like white tea, green tea is another variety that undergoes the least processing, which helps it retain its brilliant green color and fresh scent and flavor.
Green tea is known to be exceptionally high in flavonoids, which makes it valuable in the fight against cardiovascular disease, cognitive issues and even certain cancers.

Black Tea

Black tea is known for undergoing drying and fermentation, two processes that explain its bold and rich flavor, as well as its dark color.

Aside from being rich in flavonoids, black tea can also help you stay awake and alert for an extended period of time — all thanks to its caffeine content. This makes black tea the perfect drink for those who may want to stay up for an all-nighter.

You must be careful not to consume too much black tea, as its caffeine content — while not as high as that of coffee — can still cause you to experience some of its more common side effects.

Oolong Tea

A variety that’s somewhere between green and black tea when it comes to processing, oolong tea is a traditional tea variety that’s partially oxidized before drying.

This partial oxidation, as noted by culinary experts, is responsible for its color and its characteristic taste.

Just like other tea varieties, oolong is notable for containing l-theanine, an amino acid that can help prevent the development of cognitive diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

Tea, whatever variety you may choose to get, is one of the healthiest drinks one can add to his daily routine, as it is packed full of nutrients and potent phytochemicals that can help prevent the onset of diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Sources:

Health.Harvard.edu

Link.Springer.com

NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov 1

ScienceDaily.com

NCBI.NLM.NIH.gov 2