(NaturalHealth365)  Whether we like it or not, a certain amount of cognitive decline is a natural part of aging.  And, unless you are a child or a teenager, the process has already begun.  According to a 2023 report released by the National Institutes of Health, slight declines in problem-solving and decision-making skills can begin at the tender age of 20 – and accelerate as the years pass, so that roughly two-thirds of Americans have some form of cognitive impairment by the time they reach age 70.  (Depressing, right?!)

Holistic healthcare practitioners maintain that wise lifestyle choices, such as getting proper nutrition, can help preserve cognitive function.  And one type of green tea, in particular, has shown promise in this area.  In a new study published in the peer-reviewed journal PLoS One, scientists tested matcha green tea’s cognitive benefits.  You may be surprised by the gifts this “super-charged” tea has to offer.

Matcha green tea enhances brain function, promotes more restful sleep

The scientists evaluated the effects of matcha in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical study – a type of rigorous research known as the “gold standard” of scientific studies.  The 99 participants were all older adults (aged 60 to 95) with mild age-related cognitive decline.  Half the group received two grams of powdered matcha green tea daily, while the rest received a placebo.

Researchers then analyzed changes in cognitive function and found that the matcha group displayed significant improvements in their emotional perception of facial movements, leading to better social acuity.  They also experienced improved sleep quality, an important factor in cognitive function.  Sleep deprivation can cause increased inflammation and harmful amyloid-beta deposits in the brain, making it a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

The team praised matcha green tea as a “simple yet effective strategy for cognitive enhancement and dementia prevention.”

While this study yielded valuable data on matcha green tea, it wasn’t the first to do so.  An earlier study published in 2017 in Food Research International evaluated the tea’s effects on participants who had consumed either matcha tea, a snack bar containing matcha, or a placebo.  The matcha groups displayed improvements in attention, reaction time, delayed picture recognition, and episodic memory.

Matcha green tea is rich in antioxidant flavonoids

While matcha green tea comes from the same Camellia sinensis plant from which black and green teas are derived, it is grown under more shaded conditions than other teas.  Reducing the plant’s access to sunlight dramatically boosts its levels of chlorophyll and amino acids and its caffeine content (more about that later).  It also ramps up levels of catechins, a group of flavonoids found in green tea.

Catechins – particularly epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG – are responsible for much of the antioxidant power of green tea.  Antioxidants scavenge harmful molecules known as free radicals, reducing oxidative stress and damage throughout the body.

By the way, regular consumption of matcha tea is associated with lower rates of breast, bladder, colon, and prostate cancer.  Holistic doctors also advise matcha to support weight loss, ease inflammation, regulate blood sugar, boost immunity, and enhance gut health.

Lift mood and boost energy with no “caffeine crash”

Matcha green tea contains almost double the caffeine of standard green tea.  Yet, matcha aficionados insist the drink won’t cause the “jitters.”

Many researchers agree and credit matcha’s high content of L-theanine, an amino acid shown to raise levels of calming neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and GABA.  In a study published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers noted that L-theanine increased calming alpha waves in the brains of people with high anxiety.

With five times more L-theanine than conventional green tea, matcha green tea just might offer the “best of both worlds” – the alertness and mental lift of caffeine without the shakiness.  Of course, individual reactions may vary.  If you find that the caffeine in matcha bothers you, this may not be the drink for you.

Matcha tea is an ancient remedy with up-to-date health benefits

Look for ceremonial-grade matcha green tea from a reputable vendor.  The powder should be a deep, vibrant green with no brownish or yellowish tints.  Check with your holistic doctor before adding matcha green tea to your health routine.

To prepare it yourself, use one teaspoon of powder to six ounces of hot (not boiling) water.  Using a shallow bowl, blend in an ounce of hot water to form a paste.  Slowly add the rest of the water, whipping steadily with a bamboo whisk until the mixture is frothy.  Transfer to a cup and sip away!  Enjoy matcha green tea hot, chilled, or iced.  Sweeten with a little honey if desired – or add almond milk for a matcha latte.  Or, add it to your favorite smoothie.

Used by Chinese and Buddhist monks as an aid to meditation, matcha tea has long been treasured for its energizing yet relaxing effects.  Plus, the latest research suggests it can improve mental clarity and memory.

Maybe it’s time to add matcha green tea to your toolbox of natural techniques for warding off cognitive decline – and staying at the top of your mental game!

Sources for this article include:

PLoS.org
Healthline.com
NIH.gov
Healthline.com
APJCN.org
NIH.gov