The Science Behind Why Japanese Green Tea Can Make You Smarter

The Science Behind Why Japanese Green Tea Can Make You Smarter

There are three major reasons green tea is the ultimate brain power booster. Green Tea contains some powerful compounds, all of which will prime your brain to operate at a higher level naturally.

The 3 Reasons that Green Tea Makes You Smarter

  • EGCG
  • L-Theanine
  • Hundreds of Antioxidants are Within Green Tea

EGCG, The Penultimate Antioxidant Within Green Tea

EGCG is the abbreviation of the polyphenol called epigallocatechin-3-gallate, which is significant in green tea. Thanks to this wonderful compound in green tea, humans can benefit from its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties. Your brain could never benefit more, from drinking green tea that is replete with this bioactive compound. Since EGCG is an antioxidant, it is capable of destroying free radicals which contribute to aging and disease within your brain.

Since the brain is a region of your body that is rich in oxygen, keeping oxidative damage to a minimum is vital to higher brain functioning. EGCG improves your memory, cognitive focus, and puts you in a relaxed yet attentive state. When free radicals attack the brain, they may cause inflammation of the brain’s tissues, which is the onset for disease. EGCG has anti-inflammatory attributes which will stop destructive processes within the brain, so that your brain will be healthy and perform optimally.

According to  The Lancet Neurology, studies on the effects of green tea regarding cognitive brain function of clients with Down Syndrome, showed significant improvement of patient memory recall and other cognitive functions. The major component for the significant improvement of brain function was EGCG. Considering that EGCG plays a role in the protection of telomeres and chromosomes in the brain, because of the nature of Down Syndrome, EGCG’s effects are of importance to the study. EGCG works to protect telomeres from damage, preventing unwarranted and premature cell death and damage, which inhibits optimal brain performance.

The Science Behind Why Japanese Green Tea Can Make You Smarter

L.Theanine Increases Performance of Your Brain

L.Theanine is a unique compound that improves overall brain performance. When you consume green tea, L. Theanine makes you perform better at complex tasks, boosts dopamine and serotonin, and improves your memory. Studies from University of Shiga prefecture and Taiyo Kagaku Co. Ltd. also show that L.Thenine also increases a person’s ability to pay attention by enhancing activity of alpha waves in brain.

As a protective compound for the various neurocenters of the brain, L. Theanine staves off brain cell death, reduces anxiety and stress, and fends off degenerative conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. When you drink green tea, the L. Theanine works to protect your brain from harm, and alter your brainwaves so that your brain is alert and focused, but not stressed.

A lot of poor brain functioning is thanks to lack of proper sleep, poor nutrition, and being overly stressed and anxious. L. Theanine in green tea helps to regulate the brain so that it gets proper time to recharge upon sleeping. L. Theanine also promotes restful sleep, and sharply reduces any stress or anxiety, creating a relaxed and peaceful state of mind. When your brain is calm yet focused, you are able to tackle more challenges, and think more clearly without feeling overwhelmed.

The Incredible Amount of Antioxidants Within Green Tea Make it the Holy Grail of Intelligence Boosters

According to Psychology Today, studies on green tea have shown that the antioxidants within promote cell repair, which improves brain function. There are hundreds of antioxidants within green tea besides EGCG, which raise dopamine levels in the brain and protect against neurotoxins. Studies still get conducted worldwide to classify and conduct closer studies of individual antioxidant attributes. Polyphenols in green tea help regulate the glucose levels in the brain, which ensure proper function of cognitive activities. The tannins within green tea have been shown to assist DNA repair, in addition to preventing neuron death, especially in the event of a stroke.

In order to benefit from the antioxidants within green tea, you want to choose a tea of high quality, and be mindful of your brewing process. Matcha, a finely ground form of specifically processed green tea called Tencha, contains significantly higher levels of certain compounds than other teas. Loose teas, such as those found online, will offer more healthful benefits than tea in a bag. Choose to brew your tea cold, and you will find significantly higher levels of antioxidants. Typically green tea is brewed in hot water, which will still provide your brain with a healthy boost of power. According to video posted by Dr. Greger from Nutrition Facts, studies have shown that cold-brewing your green tea will enhance the healthful benefits within.  The video explains that Italian scientists compared antioxidant activities in cold vs hot steeped tea and found that cold tea actually has more antioxidants, concluding that hot temperature in fact destroys some of the catechins in tea.

The Science Behind Why Japanese Green Tea Can Make You Smarter

 

Tips for Getting Most Out of Tea for Your Brain

The most important thing to keep in mind when drinking green tea, is to select the highest quality loose tea possible. A higher quality tea will retain more antioxidants, provide a better taste, and should be free of chemical additives or insecticides. Try to drink at least 3 servings of 6 ounces of green tea daily, in order to give your brain the benefit of its prized antioxidants. Experiment with drinking your green tea brewed hot or cold, to see how your brain reacts differently. Choose to consume green tea that is brewed correctly, without sugar, and of a high quality. Your brain will benefit from improved mood, focus, health, and perform at an optimal level.

If possible, you want to avoid consuming green tea with sugar as sugar spikes blood sugar levels which overwhelms the brain. Green tea naturally contains compounds which will give you a cleaner energy boost. A properly brewed green tea will make you feel alert for a sustained amount of time, and more relaxed than if powering your brain on a sugar rush. Take the time to enjoy some green tea cold or hot, and enjoy the many benefits to your health, especially for your brain.

This article was originally published on T-ching, where my work is featured

T-ching was the 2016 winner of Best Tea Blog

 

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