Tea is an excellent beverage for cutting through grease and refreshing the mind, but its health benefits extend far beyond these. A small-scale study from the Department of Psychosomatic Medicine at Nanyang Technological University's Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine found that regular tea consumption can enhance brain connectivity and delay cognitive decline.
To determine whether tea consumption promotes more efficient organization of communication pathways in the brain, researchers surveyed 36 middle-aged and elderly individuals aged 60 and above. Among them, 15 were regular tea drinkers, while 21 rarely or never drank tea. Participants provided detailed information on their overall health, emotional well-being, and lifestyle, and underwent MRI scans along with 12 neuropsychological function tests and cognitive assessments.
Researchers specifically examined connectivity within the default mode network (DMN). This extensive network links multiple brain regions and plays crucial roles in self-awareness, empathy, moral reasoning, and future imagination.Comparing the two groups' test results, researchers found that tea drinkers exhibited a more integrated brain network with higher functional and structural connectivity efficiency. When connections between brain regions demonstrate stronger structural organization, information processing becomes more effective. The findings were published in the Journal of Aging.
This study provides the first evidence of tea's positive impact on brain structure, suggesting regular tea consumption may delay brain tissue aging.
Benefits of Tea Consumption
1. Enhances Muscle Endurance
Tea consumption boosts muscle endurance due to catechins—antioxidant compounds in tea leaves that increase the body's fat-burning capacity, improve muscular stamina, combat fatigue, and extend exercise duration. Regular green tea consumption yields the most pronounced effects.
2. UV Protection
Tea polyphenols are water-soluble compounds. Washing your face with tea water removes facial oiliness, tightens pores, and offers disinfecting, antibacterial, and anti-aging benefits. It also helps reduce UV damage from sunlight, acting as a natural "sunscreen."
3. Maintains Body Shape
The Tang Dynasty text Supplement to Materia Medica noted that "long-term consumption promotes weight loss," a claim confirmed by modern science. The caffeine in tea stimulates gastric secretion, aids digestion, and enhances the body's ability to break down fats. International studies also indicate that regular tea drinking can reduce waist circumference and lower Body Mass Index (BMI), thereby helping prevent diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
4. Radiation Protection
International studies indicate that tea polyphenols and their oxidized compounds can absorb certain radioactive substances, shielding cells from radiation damage while aiding in repairing damaged cells. Clinical research shows tea extracts effectively treat mild radiation sickness in cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy and reduce radiation-induced decreases in blood cells and white blood cells.
5. Enhancing Memory
Tea consumption also plays a role in improving memory. Research indicates that tea polyphenols can locally enhance brain function, thereby boosting memory retention and learning efficiency. International studies confirm that tea drinking can prevent and treat neurological disorders, particularly age-related cognitive impairment. Additionally, caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, offering alertness, mental clarity, and a refreshed state of mind.
6. Enhances Bone Density
Although tea contains caffeine, which may promote calcium loss through urination, its content is extremely low. Even black tea, which has relatively high caffeine levels, contains only 30–45 milligrams per cup. In fact, tea contains more substances that help reduce calcium loss, including fluoride, phytoestrogens, and potassium.A Taiwanese study found that regular tea drinkers have higher bone density and a lower risk of hip fractures. Seven groups of people should avoid tea: 1.People with constipation
Tea is unsuitable for those suffering from constipation. During constipation, the intestines are dry, making it better to consume foods that moisten the intestines and promote bowel movements. Certain components in tea have an astringent effect on gastrointestinal mucosa, impairing digestion and absorption. This can lead to hardened stools, causing or worsening constipation.
2. Individuals with neurasthenia or insomnia
The caffeine in tea significantly stimulates the central nervous system. Drinking tea, especially strong tea, can place the brain in a state of excessive excitement, preventing proper rest.
4. Individuals with calcium deficiency or fractures
Alkaloids in tea inhibit calcium absorption in the duodenum. Simultaneously, they promote calcium excretion in urine, leading to reduced calcium intake and increased loss. This causes calcium deficiency and osteoporosis, hindering fracture recovery.
5. Individuals with gastric ulcers
Because the stomach contains phosphodiesterase, an enzyme that inhibits gastric acid secretion. The theophylline in tea reduces phosphodiesterase activity, causing gastric cells to secrete excessive amounts of acid.
6. Gout sufferers
Tannic acid in tea exacerbates symptoms, making tea consumption inadvisable—especially tea steeped for extended periods.
7. Hypertensive or cardiac patients
Caffeine in tea stimulates cardiac activity, potentially disrupting physiological functions and elevating basal metabolic rates.