In Singapore, researchers conducted a longitudinal study from 2003 to 2005 involving 957 Chinese seniors 55 years or older and found that regular tea consumption lowers the risk of cognitive decline in the elderly by 50 percent. The recent National University of Singapore study also discovered that the neuroprotective role of tea consumption on cognitive function is not limited to a particular type of tea – so long as the tea is brewed from tea leaves, such as green, black or oolong tea.
“While the study was conducted on Chinese elderly, the results could apply to other races as well. Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. The data from our study suggests that a simple and inexpensive lifestyle measure such as daily tea drinking can reduce a person’s risk of developing neurocognitive disorders in late life,” explained Assistant Professor Feng Lei, leader of the study.