A cup of green tea is considered a healthy alternative to coffee in Ireland. However, a new scientific study shows that this drink may play an even more important role: helping the brain defend itself against Alzheimer’s disease.
Drinking Green Tea As Prevention
Scientists from the University of California have discovered that a natural compound in green tea, in combination with vitamin B3, can trigger a powerful cleaning mechanism in the brain. This process prevents the accumulation of harmful waste products that are typical of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. The new research is reported by the scientific portal Springer Nature.
Green Tea Against Disease
Drinking green tea has long been associated with a reduced risk of dementia. Earlier studies have shown that regular drinkers have fewer lesions in the white matter of the brain, which indicates a lower likelihood of developing cognitive disorders and better functioning brain connections even in old age.
Nicotinamide was studied separately and showed a protective effect against stroke and other neurodegenerative processes. However, new research has shown for the first time that these substances have a synergistic effect – that is, together they act significantly stronger than each does separately, potentially opening the way for the prevention and slowing of the development of Alzheimer’s disease.
Two Substances Are Responsible
Scientists have focused on two substances that can significantly aid the brain. The first is an antioxidant from good green tea. The second is vitamin B3, which we can naturally obtain from food. It is found, for example, in fish, cereals, nuts, legumes, and eggs. When the researchers combined these two, brain cells received a new source of energy.
This energy allowed them to better “clean up”— to rid themselves of dead cells and harmful proteins that are closely linked to Alzheimer’s disease. Biomedical engineer Gregory Brewer explained that if we supply the brain with energy through substances that are also available in the form of nutritional supplements, a new possibility opens up for slowing down the decline of memory and thinking.
Green Tea Helps to “Clean Up”
The brain naturally gets rid of dead cells and waste proteins through a process called autophagy. However, this ability gradually decreases with age. Neurons seem to lose energy, slow down, and become unable to effectively remove harmful deposits that accumulate in the brain.
Researchers have shown that the combination of EGCG and nicotinamide can reverse this problem and restore the natural cleaning mechanism. Neurons enriched with GTP regained the ability to break down dangerous clumps of amyloid proteins, which are considered one of the main causes of Alzheimer’s disease, afflicting millions of people around the world.
Preliminary Findings
Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most serious challenges facing the aging population. It gradually robs people of their memory, ability to navigate, and independent living. Despite the beneficial effects of green tea, modern medicine still does not have an effective drug that can stop the disease. The beneficial effects of green tea are reported by the Neuroscience News portal.
The results from California suggest that prevention may be found in simple steps – in diet and lifestyle. Green tea and vitamin B3 are both available, safe, and commonly found in foods. Their combination can strengthen the brain in the very area where it loses the most with age: energy balance.
However, it should be noted that these are preliminary findings. The experiments have so far only been conducted on neurons grown in the laboratory. Further clinical studies will be needed to confirm the effectiveness in humans. Nonetheless, if you want you enjoy proven benefits of high-quality green tea and matcha, definitely try one from our selection.
