Could you slow the aging process with this basic beverage?
Many factors contribute to aging, and diet is no exception. From our skin to our cells, the food we eat supplies a range of essential nutrients that can support our body's microbial machinery and help us to live longer, healthier lives.
One beverage that has shown promising results in this area is tea. And while tea drinking might be a stereotypically British behavior, the beverage can be found in almost 80 percent of U.S. households, according to the Tea Association of the U.S.A. In 2021, Americans drank more than 3.9 billion gallons of the stuff, equating to almost 85 billion servings.
Animal studies have suggested that the plant-based compounds in tea, called polyphenols, may increase the lifespan of worms, flies and mice, while studies in humans have found that tea consumption is associated with a reduced risk of various age-related diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, dementia and cancer. However, very few studies have looked into the relationship between tea consumption and biological aging.
In a new study, published in the journal The Lancet Regional Health—Western Pacific, researchers from China's Sichuan University sought to investigate the role of tea consumption in longevity, using data from nearly 14,000 participants aged between 30 and 79.
Participants were quizzed on the number of cups of tea they drank every day and assessed for basic biomarkers indicative of aging. The participants were then assessed in a follow-up study two to four years later.
From this data, an obvious pattern emerged—tea consumption was associated with slower biological aging, particularly for consistent tea drinkers drinking moderate amounts.
"The relationship suggested that consuming around three cups of tea, or 6 to 8 grams of tea leaves per day, may offer the most evident anti-aging benefits," the authors write.
Of course, this correlation does not necessarily imply causation, but there are a number of molecules inside tea that might be behind these potential anti-aging properties. Tea is rich in polyphenols and antioxidants, which are thought to play a role in reducing inflammation, mopping up toxic byproducts of cellular reactions and increasing cell turnover.
Polyphenols have also been reported to play an important role in supporting our gut microbiome, with implications for metabolism, immunity and cognitive function.
However, more research is needed to confirm which molecules could be behind this anti-aging association. But the study provides exciting evidence for tea as a nutrition-based approach to slowing down the aging process and potentially lowering our risk of age-associated disease.
"Our findings highlight the potential role of tea in developing nutrition-oriented anti-aging interventions and guiding healthy aging policies," the authors say.
Is there a health problem that's worrying you? Do you have a question about aging? Let us know via health@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice, and your story could be featured in Newsweek.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Pandora Dewan is a Senior Science Reporter at Newsweek based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on science, health ... Read more
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