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The Mental Health Benefits of Green Tea

Green tea has been known to have medicinal properties for many years. There seems to be a big interest in recent years on the health benefits of green tea, from anti- inflammatory effects to neuroprotection effects in Parkinson's disease.



Green tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The leaves are then steamed and strained into the tea. The tea is made up of many therapeutic substances. One of these is EGCG, also known as epigallocatechin gallate. With the ability to cross the blood brain barrier, EGCG has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may benefit mental health.


A 2018 study published in the journal Nutrients analyzed the effects of green tea intake in more than 9,500 generally healthy South Korean adults. People who consumed a minimum of three cups of green tea per week had a 21 percent less likelihood of developing depression than individuals who didn’t include the beverage in their diets.


Another therapeutic ingredient found in green tea is L-theanine. L- theanine is an amino acid associated with happiness and feeling relaxed. The combination of naturally occurring caffeine and L-theanine produce a calm yet focused mind. In a 2017 review in the journal Phytomedicine, they identified that the pairing contributes to its abilities to reduce anxiety, boost memory and attention, and increase brain function.


Have you tried green tea? Do you drink it regularly? If so, have you noticed any differences in your cognitive health? If not, try consuming green tea in the morning. Drinking caffeinated beverages past four in the afternoon may interfere with your sleep. If you're not a fan of the flavour, try introducing a dash of lemon juice or ginger to counteract any bitterness.


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