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A groundbreaking study led by researchers at Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medical Sciences has uncovered a significant link between higher green tea consumption and a reduction in cerebral white matter lesions in older adults without dementia. The findings suggest that drinking at least three cups of green tea daily may help protect brain health, particularly in the aging population.
Green tea, alongside coffee, is recognized for its neuroprotective properties due to its rich content of antioxidants and other compounds. Both beverages are the most widely consumed worldwide after water. While previous research has pointed to cognitive benefits from drinking tea and coffee, few studies have directly examined their effects on brain structural changes in older adults.
White matter lesions (WML) in the brain, often a marker of small vessel disease, have been linked to cognitive decline, vascular dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between green tea and coffee consumption and brain health, specifically focusing on white matter lesion volume, hippocampal volume, and total brain volume, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
The study, titled “Green tea consumption and cerebral white matter lesions in community-dwelling older adults without dementia,” was published in npj Science of Food and is part of the Japan Prospective Studies Collaboration for Aging and Dementia. This large-scale, multisite observational research gathered data from 8,766 participants aged 65 and older between 2016 and 2018, assessing their diet, cognitive function, and brain scans.
Green tea consumption was measured through a Food Frequency Questionnaire, categorizing daily intake into four levels: 0–200 ml, 201–400 ml, 401–600 ml, and ≥601 ml. MRI scans provided data on the volume of white matter lesions, hippocampal volume, and total brain volume. The study adjusted for various factors, including demographics, lifestyle, health conditions, and genetic risk factors for Alzheimer’s.
The results were striking. After controlling for potential confounding factors, higher green tea consumption was associated with lower volumes of white matter lesions. Those who drank 600 ml of green tea daily exhibited a 3% reduction in white matter lesions compared to those who drank less than 200 ml. Furthermore, participants consuming 1,500 ml of green tea daily had 6% fewer white matter lesions than the reference group.
Interestingly, no significant relationship was found between green tea intake and hippocampal or total brain volumes, suggesting that the impact of green tea may be more concentrated on specific brain structures related to vascular health.
Coffee consumption, in contrast, did not show any significant effect on white matter lesions, hippocampal volume, or total brain volume, highlighting the unique potential benefits of green tea.
The study also explored the effects of depression and the presence of the ApoE ε4 allele, a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. The results indicated that significant reductions in white matter lesions with increased green tea consumption were observed only in participants who did not have depression or the ApoE ε4 allele.
These findings suggest that green tea’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties—particularly from catechins like epigallocatechin gallate—may help reduce vascular damage and protect the brain. While the exact mechanisms remain to be explored, this study offers promising insights into the role of green tea in supporting brain health in older adults.
For more details, refer to the study: Shutaro Shibata et al, Green tea consumption and cerebral white matter lesions in community-dwelling older adults without dementia, npj Science of Food (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41538-024-00364-w.
