How Your Daily Cup Can Slow Aging: Tea Drinking and Biological Aging
Incorporating tea into your daily routine is a simple yet powerful strategy for supporting longevity and overall well-being. So, whether you prefer a soothing cup of green, black, or oolong tea, your daily habit may be helping you age more gracefully from the inside out.
Written by Jennifer Harrington, Mito Core naturopath
Recent research has shed light on the potential anti-aging benefits of regular tea consumption. A study titled "Tea Consumption and Attenuation of Biological Aging: A Longitudinal Analysis from Two Cohort Studies" explored this connection by analyzing data from nearly 14,000 participants across two cohorts: the China Multi-Ethnic Cohort Study and the UK Biobank.
Types of Tea Examined and Their Benefits
The study primarily focused on green tea, black tea, and oolong tea, the most commonly consumed varieties. Each type of tea offers distinct health benefits that contribute to the slowing of biological aging.
Green Tea: The Antioxidant Powerhouse
Green tea is widely recognized for its high catechin content, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), a powerful antioxidant. EGCG helps neutralize free radicals, reducing oxidative stress, which is a key driver of aging. Additionally, green tea has been shown to:
- Protect DNA and cells: The antioxidants in green tea may help prevent damage to DNA and mitochondria, slowing cellular aging.
- Support brain health: Regular green tea consumption may improve cognitive function and provide a lower risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
- Boost metabolism: Research suggests green tea can enhance fat metabolism, supporting weight management and reducing age-related metabolic decline.
Black Tea: Heart Health and Anti-Inflammation
Black tea undergoes a fermentation process that increases its content of theaflavins and thearubigins, which have been shown to have cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory properties. Benefits of black tea include:
- Improved heart health: Regular intake of black tea has been associated with relatively lower serum cholesterol concentrations in observational studies.
- Anti-inflammatory effects: Theaflavins in black tea help reduce chronic inflammation, a key contributor to aging.
- Gut health support: Black tea polyphenols promote the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, which play a role in overall health and longevity.
Oolong Tea: Metabolism and Skin Health
Oolong tea is a partially oxidized tea that contains a mix of catechins (like green tea) and theaflavins (like black tea), offering a unique combination of benefits. Drinking oolong tea may:
- Enhance metabolism and fat oxidation: Oolong tea has been shown to increase energy expenditure and support weight management.
- Improve skin health: Its polyphenols help protect the skin from oxidative damage and may improve hydration and elasticity.
- Support blood sugar balance: Oolong tea may help regulate blood sugar levels, reducing the risk of age-related metabolic conditions.
The researchers assessed participants' tea consumption habits and calculated biological age (BA) acceleration using clinical biomarkers and anthropometric measurements. BA acceleration serves as an indicator of the aging process, with higher values suggesting faster aging. The study found that individuals who transitioned from non-tea drinkers to tea drinkers experienced a decrease in BA acceleration. Consistent tea drinkers exhibited even more pronounced benefits.
The study’s findings emphasize that moderate tea consumption—especially three cups per day (or 6-8g tea leaves) is linked to the most significant anti-aging effects. 3 cheers for a yummy biohack for reducing biological aging!
