Green Tea Benefits for Seniors – Antioxidants for the Eyes, Brain, and Body

woman drinking green teaOxidative stress happens everywhere in the body and can create havoc over time. Many eye and brain diseases are triggered or exacerbated by oxidative stress. The body counteracts this stress by producing antioxidants. However, you must also ingest additional antioxidants through healthy food, drinks, and supplements. Green tea, rich in antioxidants, offers protective benefits for eye health by combating oxidative damage.1 At pennies per cup, this convenient and tasty beverage has been studied for its special antioxidant properties. What are the green tea benefits for seniors? Read on to find out.

Macular Degeneration and Other Retinal Diseases

Studies suggest that green tea and its extracts may provide neuroprotective effects, particularly in the photoreceptor outer segment and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), which are crucial for maintaining healthy vision.2

A key component of green tea, polyphenols known as “catechins,” deliver powerful antioxidant properties. These catechins are highly bioavailable, meaning the eye tissues efficiently absorb them. Research has shown that catechins can travel from the digestive system to the eyes, offering targeted protection and support for ocular health.

Catechins have been studied closely for their health effects. Catechins are readily absorbed and have been found to pass from the digestive system to the eyes.

Green tea epigallocatechin protects lab animal retinas from the oxidative damage of hydrogen peroxide.3 It also helps protect the retina from UVB light damage. This UV light protective effect seems to have to do with the ability of cells to resist degradation when exposed to UV light.4

Diabetes/Diabetic Retinopathy

Green tea consumption appears to protect against complications of diabetes.5 6 7

Dry Eyes

The catechins of green tea are effective in treating dry eye and meibomian gland dysfunction.8 These glands secrete oily meibum on top of the tear film to slow evaporation. The catechins of green tea regulate and reduce symptoms of autoimmune imbalances, as is exhibited in Sjogren’s syndrome.9 10

Brain Health

Many studies have confirmed green tea consumption’s range of health benefits, largely attributed to the high catechin content, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).

Epidemiological studies point to an association between green tea consumption and a decreased rate of cognitive decline.

One study showed a significant association between green tea consumption and fewer white matter lesions. 11

Consuming green or black tea (2–3 cups per day) may offer protective benefits against neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s Disease. Epidemiological studies have explored the potential effects of tea, derived from the Camellia sinensis plant, on reducing the risk of this condition.12 13 14 15 . In some studies, a higher consumption of green, black, and oolong tea has been linked to a lower prevalence of cognitive impairment.16 17 Tea flavonoids have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroregenerative effects.18 19

Green and black tea (2-3 cups per day). Several epidemiological studies have addressed the influence of drinking tea (Camellia sinensis) on the risk of Parkinson’s Disease.

Note that nutrient deficiencies that can mimic dementia include vitamins B1, B6, B12, D3, iron, magnesium, selenium, and zinc, as well as low levels of serotonin (an essential neurotransmitter in the central nervous system that acts as a hormone in the periphery) and dopamine (which is a hormone).

Top brain nutrients that have the broadest range of brain benefits include: acetyl-L-carnitine, ashwagandha, apigenin, CoQ10, curcumin, DHA (or fish oil), gingko biloba, ginseng, grapeseed extract, lutein, n-acetyl-cysteine, resveratrol, olive leaf extract, phosphatidylserine, PQQ (pyrroloquinoline quinone), vinpocetine, vitamin E, and zeaxanthin.

Top brain foods include fruits and vegetables, avocado, blueberries (and other dark berries), dark chocolate, eggs, fish, goji berries, pomegranate juice, green and black teas, yogurt (plain, organic), mulberry, and nuts. mushrooms (reiki, shitake, and lion’s mane, for example), prunes, pumpkin seeds, and walnuts.

Allergies and Hay Fever

Green tea consumption can significantly reduce symptoms of hay fever or pollen allergy. The most effective green tea for this purpose is matured Benifuuki tea from the second crop season.20 Additional studies show the benefits of drinking green tea regarding allergic dermatitis, and can be helpful due to its anti-inflammatory benefits, without increasing skin irritation.21

Seniors

Seniors who had the highest levels of circulating polyphenols were at a 30% lower risk of death over 12 years versus those with the lowest levels.

Green Tea and Eye Health

Oxidative stress can be a major contributing factor to a number of eye diseases, including glaucoma, macular degeneration, and perygium. Numerous studies show the positive impact of incorporating green tea into your daily routine.

Blood Pressure

The catechins in green tea may support cardiovascular health by helping to regulate blood pressure22 and reduce cholesterol levels.

Women’s Health

Green tea catechins are effective for some conditions for which senior women are most at risk. One study concluded that through the modification of estrogen metabolism, green tea might reduce breast cancer risk23 and osteopenia, low bone density.24 Green tea is helpful for overactive bladder,25 regulation of glucose, LDL cholesterol,26 and general relief of menopausal symptoms, as part of a morning and evening formula combined with other herbs.27

Weight Management

In several studies, researchers have found that the consumption of green tea extract is associated with weight loss.28 Others have determined that the combination of running and decaffeinated green tea extract in lab animals on a high-fat diet is beneficial, reducing body mass, visceral fat mass, blood glucose, and insulin resistance.29

Other Strengths of Green Tea

Did you know that green tea has other health benefits? According to published research, the compounds in green tea can help with:

  • allergies/sensitivities
  • menopause
  • depression
  • cognition (Alzheimer’s)
  • DNA damage
  • cancer
  • periodontal disease
  • Parkinson’s Disease

All of these diseases are especially prevalent in seniors. Clearly, there are many green tea benefits for seniors!

Reduced Parkinson’s symptoms are found in a diet high in fresh vegetables, fresh fruit, nuts and seeds, nonfried fish, olive oil, wine, coconut oil, fresh herbs, and spices. Consumption of green tea, coffee, and blueberries, as well as avoiding dairy, are associated with a reduced risk of being diagnosed with PD.30 31

Suggested Supplements

Advanced Eye & Vision Support Formula (whole food) 60 vcaps

Dr. Grossman’s Meso Plus Retinal Support and Computer Eye Strain Formula with Astaxanthin 90 vcaps

Dr. Grossman’s Advanced Eye and Dr. G’s Whole Food Superfood Multi1 20 Vcap Combo – 2 months supply

ReVision Formula (wild-crafted herbal formula) 2 oz

Retinal Support (wild-crafted herbal formula) 2 oz


Dr. Grossman’s Bilberry/Ginkgo Combination 2oz (60ml)


Nitric Oxide Supplement – helps promote increased oxygen through the body and eyes.

NMN Wonderfeel Capsul 60 vegcaps


Dr. Grossman’s Premium Turmeric Vcaps (Organic)

Brain and Memory Power Boost 120 caps

Cognirev Extra Strength 2 oz Oral Spray

Packages


Brain and Memory Support Package 1

AMD Package 1 (3-month supply)

Recommended Books

Natural Brain Support: Your Guide to Preventing and Treating Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Other Related Diseases Naturally

Natural Parkinson’s Support: Your Guide to Preventing and Managing Parkinson’s

  1. Merin, S. (1991). Inherited cataracts. In Merin S. editor. Inherited Eye Diseases, (pp. 86-120), New York: Mercel Dekker. ↩
  2. Jarrett, S.G., Bouton, M.E. (2012). Consequences of oxidative stress in age-related macular degeneration. Aspects Med, 2012 Aug:33(4):399-417 ↩
  3. Cia, D., Vergnaud-Gauduchon, J., Jacquemot, N., Doly, M. (2014) Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) Prevents H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress in Primary Rat Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells, Curr Eye Res, Sep;39(9):944-52 ↩
  4. Landrum, J.T., Bone, R.A., Kilburn, M.D. (1997). The Macular Pigment: A Possible Role in Protection from Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Adv Pharmacol, 38:537-56. ↩
  5. Ma, Q., Chen, D., Sun, H.P., Yan, N., Xu, Y., et al. (2015). Regular Chinese Green Tea Consumption is Protective for Diabetic Retinopathy: A Clinic-Based Case-Control Study. J Diabetes Res, 2015:231570. ↩
  6. Ibid. Landrum. (1997). ↩
  7. Silva, K.C., Rosales, M.A., Hamassaki, D.E., Saito, K.C., Faria, A.M., et al. (2013). Green tea is neuroprotective in diabetic retinopathy. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, Feb 15;5(2):1325-36. ↩
  8. Nejabat, M., Reza, S.A., Zadmehr, M., Yasemi, M., Sobhani, Z. (2017). Efficacy of Green Tea Extract for Treatment of Dry Eye and Meibomian Gland Dysfunction; A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial Study. J Clin Diagn Res, Feb;11(2):NC05-NC08. ↩
  9. Dickenson, D., Yu, H., Ohno, S., Thomas, C. Derossi, S., et al. (2014). Epigallocatechin-3-gallate prevents autoimmune-associated down- regulation of p21 in salivary gland cells through a p53-independent pathway. Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets, Feb;13(1):15-24. ↩
  10. Hsu, S.D., Dickinson, D.P., Qin, H., Borke, J., Ogbureke, K.U., et al. (2007). Green tea polyphenols reduce autoimmune symptoms in a murine model for human Sjogren’s syndrome and protect human salivary acinar cells from TNF-alpha-induced cytotoxicity. Autoimmunity, Mar;40(2):138-47. ↩
  11. Shibata S, Noguchi-Shinohara M, Shima A, et al. Green tea consumption and cerebral white matter lesions in community-dwelling older adults without dementia. NPJ Sci Food. ↩
  12. Chan DK, Woo J, Ho SC, Pang CP, Law LK, et al. (1998). Genetic and environmental risk factors for Parkinson’s disease in a Chinese population.  J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. Nov;65(5):781-4. ↩
  13. Checkoway H, Powers K, Smith-Weller T, Franklin GM, Longstreth WT Jr, et al. (2002). Parkinson’s disease risks associated with cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and caffeine intake. Am J Epidemiol. Apr 15; 155(8):732-8. ↩
  14. Hu G, Bidel S, Jousilahti P, Antikainen R, Tuomilehto J. (2007). Coffee and tea consumption and the risk of Parkinson’s disease. Mov Disord. Nov 15; 22(15):2242-8. ↩
  15. Kandinov B, Giladi N, Korczyn AD. (2009). Smoking and tea consumption delay onset of Parkinson’s disease. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. Jan; 15(1):41-6. ↩
  16. Kuriyama S, Hozawa A, Ohmori K, Shimazu T, Matsui T, et al. (2006). Green tea consumption and cognitive function: a cross-sectional study from the Tsurugaya Project 1.  Am J Clin Nutr. Feb; 83(2):355-61. ↩
  17. Noguchi-Shinohara M, Yuki S, Dohmoto C, Ikeda Y, Samuraki M, et al. (2014). Consumption of green tea, but not black tea or coffee, is associated with reduced risk of cognitive decline. PLoS ONE. 2014;9:e96013. ↩
  18. Anandhan A, Tamilselvam K, Radhiga T, Rao S, Essa MM, et al. (2012). Theaflavin, a black tea polyphenol, protects nigral dopaminergic neurons against chronic MPTP/probenecid induced Parkinson’s disease. Brain Res. Jan 18;1433:104- 13. ↩
  19. Anandhan A, Essa MM, Manivasagam T. (2013). Therapeutic Attenuation of Neuroinflammation and Apoptosis by Black Tea Theaflavin in Chronic MPTP/Probenecid Model of Parkinson’s Disease. Neurotox Res 2013;23:166-73. ↩
  20. Maeda-yamamoto, M. (2013). Human clinical studies of tea polyphenols in allergy or life style-related diseases, Curr Pharm Des, 2013:19(34):6148-55. ↩
  21. Kim, H.K., Choi, S.Y., Chang, H.K., Baek, S.Y., Chung, J.O., et al. (2012). Human skin safety test of green tea cell extracts in condition of allergic contact dermatitis. Toxicol Res, Jun;28(2):113-6. ↩
  22. Khalesi, S., Sun, J., Buys, N., Jamshidi, A., Nikbakht-Nasrabadi, E., et al. (2014). Green tea catechins and blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Eu J Nutr, Sep;53 (6):1299–311.  ↩
  23. Fuhrman, B.J., Pfeiffer, R.M., Wu, A.H., Xu, X., Keefer, L.K., et al. (2014). Green tea intake is associated with urinary estrogen profiles in Japanese-American women. Nutr J, Feb 15;12:25. ↩
  24. Qian, G., Xue, K., Tang, L., Wang, F., Song, X., et al. (2012). Mitigation of oxidative damage by green tea polyphenols and Tai Chi exercise in postmenopausal women with osteopenia, PLos One,7(10):e48090. ↩
  25. Payton, S. (2012). Green tea catechin can improve symptoms of menopause-induced overactive bladder, S. Payton, Nat Rev Urol, Jun 19;9(7):353. ↩
  26. Wu, A.H., Spicer, D., Stanczyk, F.Z., Tseng, C.C., Yang, C.S., et al. (2012). Effect of 2-month controlled green tea intervention on lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, and hormone levels in healthy postmenopausal women, Can Prev Res, Mar;5(3):393-402. ↩
  27. Sun, J. (2003). Morning/evening menopausal formula relieves menopausal symptoms: a pilot study. J Alt Complement Med, Jun;9(3):403-9.Sun, J. (2003). Morning/evening menopausal formula relieves menopausal symptoms: a pilot study. J Alt Complement Med, Jun;9(3):403-9. ↩
  28. Snoussi, C., Ducroc, R., Hamdaoui, M.H., Dhaouadi, K. Abaidi, H., et al. (2014). Green tea decoction improves glucose tolerance and reduces weight gain of rats fed normal and high-fat diet., J Nutr Biochem, May;25(5):557-64. ↩
  29. Sae-tan, S., Rogers, C.J., Lambert, J.D. (2013). Voluntary exercise and green tea enhance the expression of genes related to energy utilization and attenuate metabolic syndrome in high fat fed mice, Mol Nutr Food Res, May;58(5):1156-9. ↩
  30. Gao X, Cassidy A, Schwarzschild MA, Rimm EB, Ascherio A. (2012). Habitual intake of dietary flavonoids and risk of Parkinson disease. Neurology. Apr 10; 78(15):1138-45. ↩
  31. Hu G, Bidel S, Jousilahti P, Antikainen R, Tuomilehto J. (2007). Coffee and tea consumption and the risk of Parkinson’s disease. Mov Disord. Nov 15; 22(15):2242-8. ↩