Tea prevents cognitive decline

Tea drinking appears to prevent cognitive decline, which is a forerunner of mental diseases such as Alzheimer's.¹ Tea has this effect, it is believed, through its antioxidant and polyphenol properties. Tea also inhibits the action of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. Acetylcholinesterase degrades the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which helps cognition. Therefore tea boosts cognition.² Because tea increases acetylcholine, a brain neurotransmitter, it may also help in the treatment of Alzheimer's.³

References

1. Tea consumption and cognitive impairment and decline in older Chinese adults. Tze-Pin Ng, Lei Feng, Mathew Niti, Ee-Heok Kua and Keng-Bee Yap. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 88, No. 1, 224-231, July 2008. (Accessed Jan.31, 2009).
2. In vitro anti-beta-secretase and dual anti-cholinesterase activities of Camellia sinensis L. (tea) relevant to treatment of dementia. Okello EJ, Savelev SU, Perry EK. Phytother Res. 2004 Aug;18(8):624-7.
   
3. Effects of green tea polyphenol on cognitive and acetylcholinesterase activities. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. Kim HK, Kim M, Kim S, Kim M, Chung JH. 2004. Sept. 68(9):1977-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15388975. (Accessed March 31, 2009.)