Effects of green tea on cognitive function and mental status: Emerging evidence

Abstract

Green tea is usually prepared by adding boiling water to dried tea leaves, which aremade from the plant Camellia Sinensis. Worldwide, tea is the second most popularbeverage after water. Similar to alcohol and coffee, drinking of green tea can producepleasant feelings. In other words, consumption of green tea is partly due to its biologicaleffects on cognitive function and emotions. To date, extensive epidemiological, clinicaland experimental studies have shown that green tea drinking is beneficial to many aspectsof physical health. There is also emerging evidence suggesting that key compounds ofgreen tea may promote mental status and health of the central nervous system. The mostpromising candidates are L-theanine and green tea catechins. This commentary reviewsrecent findings from experimental and epidemiological studies on the neurological effectsof green tea, and discusses possible mechanisms of action. © 2013 by Nova Science Publishers, Inc. All Rights Reserved.