Drinking Tea May Lower Alzheimer's Risk
Results found that compared to rare or no tea intake, the odds of cognitive impairment were 2/3 less in heavy tea drinkers (1/2 less in even low tea intake) compared to those who did not drink tea. No association was found between coffee intake and cognitive function, so coffee did not help. These results likely occur because tea (real brewed tea or teabags, not the powdered stuff) is high in antioxidants. Decaf tea loses 1/2 its antioxidants, and powdered tea and soda pop sold as tea has almost no antioxidant function left. Eating blueberries (also high in antioxidants) also improved mental function in another study.
References
"Tea consumption and cognitive impairment and decline in older Chinese adults," Ng TP, Feng L, et al, Am J Clin Nutr, 2008; 88(1): 224-31.
Jacob Teitelbaum, M.D. is one of the world's leading integrative medical authorities on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue. He is the lead author of eight research studies on their effective treatments, and has published numerous health & wellness books, including the bestseller on fibromyalgia From Fatigued to Fantastic! and The Fatigue and Fibromyalgia Solution. Dr. Teitelbaum is one of the most frequently quoted fibromyalgia experts in the world and appears often as a guest on news and talk shows nationwide including Good Morning America, The Dr. Oz Show, Oprah & Friends, CNN, and Fox News Health.
