Better Memory with Green Tea  

The human brain is one of the most complex machines in the world. It is said that the processing speed of the human brain would put supercomputers to shame. However as it happens with most machines wear & tear eventually causes it to work less efficiently.

Like the rest of your body, your brain changes with each passing year. From the time we are infants, our brains area are adapting, learning, making memories and more. However the less desirable effects of the march of time can be felt too. Ever had a problem remembering where you kept your car keys ?

The brain’s aging process begins as we hit our late twenties. We begin losing neurons – the cells that make up the brain & nervous system. By the time we reach sixties, our brains have literally begun to shrink. This sounds a little scary but it’s a natural process and it happens to everyone.The most widely seen cognitive change associated with ageing is that of memory. The challenge for aging individuals is to reduce the rate of their decline of brain functions. Certain changes in lifestyle or introduction of new ones can help in this matter.

If you are a green tea drinker then you are already helping your brain retain it’s memories & cognitive functions.
Green tea contains less caffeine than coffee, but enough to produce an effect.

Green tea contains an amino acid called L-theanine, which is able to cross the blood-brain barrier. L-theanine increases the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, which has anti-anxiety effects. It also increases dopamine and the production of alpha waves in the brain.

Studies show that caffeine and L-theanine can have synergistic effects. The combination of the two is particularly potent at improving brain function.

Green tea can not only improve brain function in the short term, it may also protect your brain in old age.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease in humans and a leading cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease occurs as a result of your brain cells being impaired, and eventually killed. This is particularly caused by buildup of toxic protein fragments called amyloiad beta.

Green Tea gets to the root of Alzheimer’s disease by three distinct mechanisms :

1. Preventing the formation of amyloid plaques                                     
2. Breaking down existing plaques
3. Creating critical new neurons in the brain.

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. It is a progressive, degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, resulting from the loss of dopamine producing brain cells, and there is presently no cure .

Dopamine helps muscles move smoothly and efficiently, when a deficiency occurs, symptoms of Parkinson’s develop, including muscle rigidity and tremors.
Researchers discovered that green tea polyphenols protect dopamine neurons that increases with the amount consumed.
Green tea has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese and Ayurveda medicine to facilitate digestion, help heal wounds, promote heart health, stabilize blood sugar, improve digestion and boost mental function.
It is only now with the help of modern medical innovations and research that we are finding out the health benefits of Green tea.