Researchers at the National University of Singapore looked at 957 Chinese individuals who were 55 years of age or older in a longitudinal study, hoping to be able to determine whether regular consumption of tea among this demographic was linked to lessened symptoms of cognitive decline and impairment.

Dementia is a common disease that falls into the scope of the researchers' inquiry; Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia.

The study's findings were rather promising: those who drank tea daily reduced their risk of cognitive decline by 50 percent. Participants who carried the gene associated with Alzheimer's disease saw a diminished risk of cognitive impairment by up to 86 percent.

This finding held regardless of the type of tea that one drank— e.g. black, green, oolong. As long as the tea leaves had been freshly brewed, consuming tea was found to help protect the brain.

Despite "tea [being] one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world," its tremendous health benefits are often overlooked, argues lead researcher Feng Lei. (Photo Credit: Pixabay)

"While the study was conducted on Chinese elderly, the results could apply to other races as well. Our findings have important implications for dementia prevention," he says in a university news release.

Examining tea's potential to treat cognitive decline is promising as "effective pharmacological therapy for neurocognitive disorders such as dementia remains elusive and current prevention strategies are far from satisfactory," Feng adds.

The researchers posit that the compounds in tea that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties— such as catechins, theaflavins, thearubigins, and L-theanine— may be responsible for "protecting the brain from vascular damage and neurodegeneration."

While some cognitive decline and impairment can be linked to genetic factors, environmental factors have also been found to play a substantial role.

Further research could be done to determine whether these same findings would hold in other demographics— i.e. varied ethnicities and age groups.

"Our understanding of the detailed biological mechanisms is still very limited so we do need more research to find out definitive answers," says Feng.

Study Finds

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

228 Republicans Ask Supreme Court to Uphold Mississippi Abortion Ban in Case That Could Overturn Roe

Auditors Finish Counting Ballots in Arizona's Maricopa County; What's Next...

Victory for Individual Rights in Spain: Constitutional Tribunal Rules against a Regional Law Permitting Mandatory Vaccination

'Unnecessary, Misleading, Catastrophic': Senior European Physicians Co-Author Expert Statement on COVID Vaccine for Children

Facebook Whistleblower Turned Down $64G Severance Package That Would Have Bought Her Silence: Report

900+ Shootings in One Week: Lawlessness Escalates Across US as Police Departments Depleted

PRAY For Our Brothers and Sisters in Nigeria: Islamic Jihadists Kill Nearly 3,500 Nigerian Christians, Attack 300 Churches in 200 Days

'Spiritual Powerhouse of Women': US Softball Team Wins Silver, Sisters in Christ Look Ahead to 'Church on the Dirt'

WATCH: Record-Setting Olympic Athlete Gives Glory to God: 'Soli Deo Gloria'

'Praise God!': Anne Graham Lotz's Son Out of ICU, in Rehab after Severe COVID Infection

Max Lucado Gets COVID Despite Being Vaccinated; Here's How He's Using His Down Time for God

Even CNN Is Pushing Back against CDC's Latest Mask Rule

Sheila Walsh on Simone Biles; I Was Shamed for Putting My Mental Health First, Too. I Applaud Her Courage

US Olympian Sunisa Lee Takes Gold in Women's Gymnastics Final; Simone Biles Cheers Her On

Black and Hispanic Leaders Ask Court to Overturn Roe: Abortion Business 'Targets' Minorities

Wow: Israel, UAE Undergo Historic 3-Way Kidney Exchange Thanks to Abraham Accords

Michigan Eagle Scout Gets 'Heroism Award' for Saving Woman from Burning Car

'My Kids Have Just Excelled': Number of Families Homeschooling Soars; Black Households See Largest Boost

Kate Obenshain: 12 Steps to Raising a Conservative Daughter—from My Very Wise Daughter

In Quick Reversal, CDC Now Recommends Indoor Masking, Citing Delta Variant 'Breakthrough' Infections