Green Tea consumption has become one of the fastest growing and biggest new health crazes in recent years. In fact, green tea production worldwide is worth more than $188 million annually. The benefits are incredible due to the powerful antioxidant properties found in green tea, but one more benefit is a promising discovery for those who want to prevent Alzheimer’s disease or even slow and reverse its progress.

Canadian researchers have used rat hippocampal cells that were laden with amyloid protein, the well-known culprit in killing off human brain cells in Alzheimer’s victims. The toxic proteins were injected with green and black tea extracts (black tea being an oxidized version of green tea) at concentration levels of 25 micrograms per milliliter. The tea extracts were found to stop the aggregation of the amyloid so that the plaque did not form. The results were reported in the European Journal of Neuroscience (vol. 23 pp. 55-64).

The protective component in green tea and black tea is catechins, which inhibit plaque build up, and prevents nerve cells from dying. Green tea contains approximately 70 mg of catechins per 100mL. Black tea only has about 15 mg 100mL, making green tea more effective in preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Catechins are also believed from other studies to help with reference and memory-related learning ability.

Japanese researchers have also taken the lead in studying the effects of green tea in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. One such study from the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine indicated that epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) can permeate brain cells to protect them in addition to its antioxidant capabilities and the ability to combine with iron.

What does this mean for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease? Up until now, most people consumed green tea for the polyphenols. These are known to fight free radicals in the body and protect against many degenerative diseases. The added benefit in brain health is just coming to light through these international studies.

Green Tea is not unpleasant to the taste, and most people who drink tea at all find it easy to consume enough for optimal health benefits. It can be consumed either hot or cold. If you just can’t take the taste, capsule forms of the extract are available, with the same benefits. Also, there are granulated forms of green tea extract that are mixed with water to make a tea-like drink that works in both hot and cold preparations.

Here are some important facts you should know to be sure your green tea drink or supplement is giving you the best brain-cell saving properties:

• It is considered safe to drink up to 20 cups of green tea per day.
  
  
• Green tea contains caffeine, so if you have high blood pressure or find that it is making you agitated you should limit consumption or drink a decaffeinated version.
  
  
• When choosing a decaffeinated green tea, be sure it has been standardized for the polyphenol and/or catechins it contains since some processes of removing caffeine impact this.
  
  
• High levels of green tea consumption can lead to problems for those who also take anticoagulant medications or even large quantities of aspirin.
  
  
• Dosage recommendations are between 125 and 500 mg/day of an extract standardized to at least 60% EGCG (catechins) or polyphenols. This would be the equivalent of 4-10 cups of green tea brewed to a medium strength.
  
  

The world is quickly and wholeheartedly embracing what the natives of China and India have known for thousands of years. Green tea is a healthy way to fight disease, push back the clock on aging, and prevent Alzheimer’s disease.

* Important note: The recommended doses are for those over age 18. Always check herb and vitamin use with your child’s health care practitioner prior to administering them.