HEALTH TIPS

A cup of good tea for the brain because it slows cell damage and keep your memory sharp in old age.

Based on a four-year study by scientists in Singapore, there are facts and adds a long list of benefits of tea.

"Any type of tea will yield the same benefits," said Professor Ng Tze Pin from the Department of Medicine for Mental Health National University of Singapore told The Sunday Times.

"Tea is cheap, non-toxic and widely consumed," said Ng.

The university's scientists found catechin, a natural compound of tea, which protects brain cells from damaging protein formation over the years, which maintain brain cognitive abilities.

Caffeine in tea, differs from that found in coffee, contains the natural protein theanine, which is against the side effects of caffeine such as increased blood pressure, headaches and fatigue, according to scientists.

Damage brain cells, caused by a combination of loss of nerve cells, the influence of genes, a mild stroke, and elevated levels of protein damage, sometimes leading to dementia sufferers (diseases of cognitive dysfunction in brain damage due to aging or other serious illness).

The team of scientists that studied the habits of drinking tea from China 2501 people aged 55 years and above from September 2003 until December 2005.

Health patients, observation period, the language used and the spatial ability of the respondents observed. Their tea drinking habits are also monitored. Approximately 38% did not drink tea, while 29% drank only one type of tea and the rest various types of tea drinking.

Two-thirds of the tea drinkers maintain its value in memory tests two years later. Among the non-tea drinkers, 35% visible decrease the average value of two points, which showed cognitive decline.

Tea is a special factor that keeps the brain cells stay healthy. But it can not be created simply by drinking tea.

"It still requires a good habit for life and a balanced diet," says Ng