Can roasted green tea improve brain functioning?

Green tea has long been celebrated for its health benefits, but could roasted green tea hold the key to boosting brain power? A recent study published in Scientific Reports has shed light on the potential cognitive benefits of this flavourful brew. Here is all you need to know about the research and find out if roasted green tea could be your new secret weapon for improved brain functioning.

What does the study say?
Researchers conducted a study to investigate the impact of green tea and roasted green tea consumption on mental performance. The study involved 20 healthy adult men, aged 18 to 30, who were asked to complete a 5-minute mental arithmetic task.

Participants were divided into two sessions, each conducted on separate days. In one session, they consumed hot water before the task, while in the other session, they drank either green tea or roasted green tea. This process was repeated on a second day, with the type of tea consumed switched to ensure each participant experienced both variations.

The study revealed some interesting findings

Improved task performance: Participants showed significantly better task performance after consuming both green tea and roasted green tea compared to drinking plain water. Specifically, roasted green tea consumption led to higher response rates and correct responses during the mental arithmetic task.


Reduced fatigue: While fatigue levels increased after the task in all experimental conditions, participants experienced less fatigue after consuming roasted green tea, particularly during the second half of the session.

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Physiological responses: Drinking green tea or roasted green tea during tasks resulted in significantly lower tissue blood volume, tissue blood flow, and near-infrared spectroscopy responses compared to consuming hot water. These physiological responses suggest that both types of tea may help moderate stress responses during mental tasks.

What are the cognitive benefits of roasted green tea?
The study’s findings suggest that even small daily servings of green tea or roasted green tea could significantly improve task performance and mental well-being. Aromatic compounds present in green tea, known for their relaxation effects, played a significant role in these positive outcomes. Roasted green tea, with its unique smoky flavour and dark brown colour, may hold the key to unlocking improved brain functioning and mental well-being.