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Τhe Power of Matcha: Boosting Social Cognition and Sleep for Older Adults
A recent study published in PLOS ONE explored the effects of daily matcha green tea intake on cognitive function and sleep quality in older adults with cognitive decline Matcha is a form of green tea rich in bioactive compounds such as epigallocatechin gallate EGCG theanine and caffeine This trial focused on its potential benefits for improving social cognition and sleep quality over a 12-month period The study included 99 participants aged 60 to 85 years of whom 64 had subjective cognitive decline and 35 had mild cognitive impairment Participants were randomly divided into two groups one consuming two grams of matcha daily and the other receiving placebo capsules that were identical in appearance and taste.
Cognitive function and sleep quality were assessed at baseline and at 3 6 9 and 12-month intervals The study found that matcha intake significantly improved social cognition specifically in recognizing facial expressions and responding to emotional cues These benefits were more pronounced in individuals with subjective cognitive decline compared to those with mild cognitive impairment An improvement in sleep quality was also reported by participants consuming matcha over the 12-month period attributed to the theanine content of matcha which promotes relaxation and better sleep.
Adherence to the study was high with 98 to 99 percent of participants consistently taking their matcha or placebo supplements However no significant improvements were observed in primary cognitive outcomes such as memory executive functions or daily functional abilities measured through tests like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment MoCA-J and Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study Activity of Daily Living ADCS-MCI-ADL A reduction in false responses and faster reaction times were noted in simple tasks among matcha consumers suggesting that matcha may enhance processing speed in social situations.
Despite these benefits the study had some limitations including the relatively small sample size which may not fully represent the broader population of older adults with cognitive decline Furthermore sleep quality was measured using subjective tools like the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index PSQI which may not capture all aspects of sleep patterns More objective measures such as polysomnography are recommended for future studies.
The findings of this study suggest that regular matcha consumption can improve social cognition and sleep quality in older adults particularly those with subjective cognitive decline While no significant improvements were seen in broader cognitive functions the enhancement in emotional perception and faster reaction times indicate that matcha may provide specific cognitive benefits related to social interactions and quality of life in aging populations.
Further studies with larger sample sizes more sensitive cognitive assessments and biomarker analyses are needed to fully understand matcha’s long-term effects on cognitive health and sleep quality This research highlights the importance of lifestyle factors such as diet in maintaining cognitive health and preventing cognitive decline in older adults especially when paired with interventions aimed at improving sleep quality
Study creator Uchida K 2024
