Because a major component of green tea -- the antioxidant Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) -- may protect your brain from Alzheimer's, it's no surprise to me older folks can lessen their possibility of mental decline by drinking it. In fact, researchers believe green tea may be the reason the Japanese have lower rates of dementia and Alzheimer's.

Based on a study of about 1,000 Japanese patients, older than age 69, the more green tea seniors drank, the better their odds of avoiding cognitive problems. Consuming two cups of green tea daily offered the most protection, while drinking less than three cups per week provided the least. Patients whose green tea consumption averaged a cup a day was the middle ground between the two extremes.

What's more, the green tea benefit was consistent, even after taking habits like exercise and smoking into account.

Unfortunately, researchers were a bit shy about making such a strong case for green tea, because they suspect a healthier lifestyle may explain the link between green tea and improved mental acuity. Because high levels of fluoride may be present in many teas you'll find in the grocery store, however, you may want to consider the Body Ecology Pure Tea Extracts I sell in my Web store.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 83, No. 2, February 2006: 355-361

MSNBC February 24, 2006