Tea and cognitive health in aging: Current evidence and future directions

The health benefits of tea drinking have been extensively studied, and in the past 20 years, there has been increasing interest in the role of tea drinking in promoting cognitive health among older adults. This review aims to analyze existing evidence on the benefits of tea drinking to promote cognitive health from both observational and interventional studies. Using a narrative approach and in-depth discussion, the major studies on tea and cognitive health were identified and summarized. Gaps in knowledge and future directions are discussed. Solid evidence from prospective cohort studies demonstrates that tea drinking slows cognitive decline, lowers the risk of cognitive impairment, and improves cognitive function. Current evidence from randomized controlled trials is inadequate for a definitive conclusion. Tea is associated with better cognition in aging. Further clinical trials should be conducted to validate the claim that tea drinking can promote cognitive health in aging.