Drink this tea for a cognitive boost.
Houjicha, or roasted green tea, offers a distinct smoky flavor and deep brown hue, achieved through charcoal roasting, a process unique to Japanese green tea production.
While previous research has underscored the cognitive advantages associated with green tea consumption, much of the focus has centered on long-term effects, isolated compounds, or excessive intake.
A recent study, featured in Scientific Reports, delved into the immediate effects of green tea and roasted green tea consumption on mental performance, compared to plain water.
The study involved 20 healthy adult Japanese men, averaging 23 years old, tasked with completing a series of mental arithmetic challenges over two sessions in a single day.
During the first session, participants consumed hot water before tasks, while in the second session, they drank either green tea or roasted green tea before the challenges. Physiological responses were measured alongside self-assessments of fatigue, stress, and mental workload.
Results indicated that tea consumption led to significantly reduced physiological stress responses compared to water, with both green tea and roasted green tea exhibiting positive effects on task performance and mental well-being.
Aromatic compounds found in green tea, known for their relaxation properties, appeared to contribute to these outcomes. Despite lower caffeine content, roasted green tea displayed anti-fatigue properties, particularly enhancing task performance with repeated consumption.
The study’s findings suggest that even modest tea consumption within a short timeframe can yield noticeable benefits, aligning with typical daily tea consumption habits.
Alyssa Simpson, RDN, CGN, CLT, and Eliza Whitaker, MS, RDN, not affiliated with the study, emphasized the role of aromatic stimulation in influencing mood, relaxation, and alertness, as well as the potential activation of the parasympathetic nervous system to reduce stress responses.
While roasted green tea’s higher pyrazine content may contribute to its observed benefits, further research is warranted to elucidate these mechanisms fully.
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