“Better memory” among various benefits claimed from drinking this tea
Certain foods are believed to have beneficial properties for our health. Tea made from the leaves of one extremely long-lived tree is one such.
Mother Nature has filled the world with numerous foods that have been found to have beneficial properties for our health. Those that have particularly high concentrations of vitamins and minerals are sought out to include in our diets.
One of the most popular is gingko (gingko biloba). It is one of the oldest living tree species and is extremely long-lived. The ginkgo is originally from China but this hardy tree has been cultivated throughout the world.
Considered a living fossil, because it is the last surviving member of an ancient order of plants, it has been used for treating blood disorders and memory issues throughout time. Nowadays, its fan-shaped leaves are used to make extracts for supplements or dried to be brewed as a tea.
“Better memory” among various benefits claimed from drinking ginkgo tea
Scientists have found two components in ginkgo which are believed to act as medicine. Flavonoids, a plant-based antioxidant, and terpenoids, an organic antioxidant demonstrated to exert anti-inflammatory effects.
Antioxidants can counteract free radicals that build up in the body with age. These harmful particles can damage cells and DNA and may contribute to ailments like cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
“Laboratory and animal studies show that flavonoids protect the nerves, heart muscle, blood vessels, and retina from damage,” states Mount Sinai. Ginkgolides, the terpenoids found in ginkgo, “improve blood flow by dilating blood vessels and reducing the stickiness of platelets.”
While research is still inconclusive, some have shown that “ginkgo has a positive effect on memory and thinking in people with Alzheimer disease or vascular dementia,” according to Mount Sinai. This used to be attributed to better blood circulation to the brain. Nowadays, research suggests that the beneficial properties of ginkgo may protect the nerve cells that get damaged in Alzheimer’s disease.
While the benefits of ginkgo are contested, one study conducted on 3,000 elderly patients found that its was “no better than placebo in preventing dementia or Alzheimer disease.”
Likewise, results are mixed with regards to whether it “helps memory in healthy people who have normal, age-related memory loss,” explains Mount Sinai. Some found slight benefits while others none.