A cup of tea a day to keep dementia away? It might just work.

Drinking tea may lower your risk of dementia, even for those with a family history of the disease. That’s according to a recent study published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging.

The study, in Harvard Men’s Health Watch, followed 957 older adults, 69 percent of whom drink tea regularly. Researchers found 50 percent of those tea drinkers had a lower risk of dementia.

The finding is consistent with studies that show tea lovers performed better on brain function tests.

Researchers also looked at a study of participants who had a family history of dementia, specifically the APOE4 gene variant linked to Alzheimer’s. They found tea drinkers in that group were also at a lower risk of developing dementia.

In the leaves

Exactly how tea works its magic isn’t known – but it might be in the leaves. They contain anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds that promote brain health.

Prefer English Breakfast over oolong? No worries. The type of tea doesn’t seem to matter as much as consistent consumption.

Links with more information about Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia are available on Voices’ Resources page.

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