DRINK TEA TO FIGHT DEMENTIA

3 cups a day can help, says new report

DRINKING three cups of tea a day could cut the risk of dementia by half, research suggests.

Potent properties found in the nation’s favourite beverage are

thought to offer vital protection from the incurable condition.

Scientists said the restorative powers of tea slashed the risk in older people by as much as 50 per cent.

And for those predisposed to conditions like Alzheimer's the risk fell by as much as 86 per cent.

Experts think the association between regularly drinking three cups of tea a day and improved mental function is due to the healing powers of bioactive compounds found in the drink.

Professor Feng Lei, who led the research, said: “The data from our study suggests that a simple and inexpensive lifestyle measure such as daily tea drinking can reduce a person's risk of developing neurocognitive disorders in late life.”

Researchers said the protective effect of the great British cuppa is not limited to a particular type as long as it is brewed from leaves.

The study comes just months after research suggested women over 65 who drink two or three cups of coffee a day could reduce their dementia risk by more than a third.

It follows mounting evidence that caffeine consumption offers a defence against cognitive impairment.

Benefits

The latest findings in the research come from analysis of the tea-drinking habits of 957 Chinese men and women aged 55 or over by the National University of Singapore.

Experts assessed their mental capabilities for almost a decade while studying their lifestyles, medical conditions and social activities.

They found those who drank tea regularly were 50 per cent less likely to develop dementia than those who never or rarely enjoyed a cuppa.

But the benefits were even greater for tea-drinkers with a genetic disposition to Alzheimer's with their risk of being struck down falling by 86 per cent.

Dr David Reynolds, chief scientific officer at Alzheimer's Research UK, said: “Nature can be a powerful source of compounds with medicinal properties and research is exploring the potential benefits of bioactive compounds in tea but it's too early to conclude that tea drinking is directly linked to better brain health.”

Research into dementia still remains under-resourced despite the scale of the health challenge with figures showing that for every one dementia scientist there are now four cancer researchers.

Analysis by Alzheimer's Research UK showed there is only one researcher for every £2million of costs to the UK economy attributed to the condition, compared to 10 for cancer.

Dr James Pickett, head of research at Alzheimer's Society, said: “This study identifies useful information about teadrinking and cognitive function but we are a long way off understanding the effect that Britain's favourite past-time has on our brain health.

“Evidence shows the best ways to reduce your risk of developing dementia are balanced diet, not smoking and keeping as active as possible.”

The research was published in scientific journal The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging.