Looking to boost your memory?

Follow what the Brits have been doing for over 350 years, the Japanese for 1,200 years and the Chinese for over 5,000 years. Drink tea.

A team from the Medicinal Plant Research Centre at Newcastle University in northeast England makes this recommendation about both green and black tea.

Their research found that tea inhibits the activity of key enzymes in the brain associated with memory.

The researchers hope their findings, published in the Phytotherapy Research journal will lead to the development of a new treatment for Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's effects approximately 10 million people every year.

Lead researcher Dr. Ed Okello has high hopes that drinking regular cups of tea could help improve your memory.

His research suggests that tea appears to have the same effect as drugs specifically designed to combat the condition of memory loss.

Dr. Ed Okello said: "Although there is no cure for Alzheimer's, tea could potentially be another weapon in the armoury which is used to treat this disease and slow down its development."

Okello added:

It would be wonderful if our work could help improve the quality of life for millions of sufferers and their carers.

Our findings are particularly exciting as tea is already a very popular drink, it is inexpensive, and there do not seem to be any adverse side effects when it is consumed.

Alzheimer's disease is associated with a reduced level of a chemical called acetylcholine in the brain.

Drinking tea may help at least slow the process.

In lab tests, the Newcastle team found that both green and black tea inhibited the activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE), which breaks down this key chemical.

They also found both teas inhibited the activity of a second enzyme butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), which has been discovered in protein deposits found in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's.

Green tea went one step further in that it obstructed the activity of beta-secretase, which plays a role in the production of protein deposits in the brain which are associated with Alzheimer's disease.

The scientists also found that it continued to have its inhibitive effect for a week, whereas black tea's enzyme-inhibiting properties lasted for only one day.

The Newcastle University researchers are now seeking funding to carry out further tests on green tea, which they hope will include clinical trials.

Their aim is to work towards the development of a medicinal tea which is specifically aimed at Alzheimer's sufferers.

The next step is to find out exactly which components of green tea inhibit the activity of the enzymes AChE, BuChE and beta-secretase.

"Still, we expect it will be several years until we are able to produce anything marketable," Okello added.

Professor Clive Ballard, director of research, Alzheimer's Society, said: "This interesting research builds on previous evidence that suggests that green tea may be beneficial due to anti-oxidant properties.

"Certainly the effect on the cholinesterase enzyme (the target of current anti-dementia drugs such as Aricept) and beta-secretase (an enzyme which is important in the build up of plaques) is very exciting and requires further investigation."

The effects of green tea also last for a week, scientists found, as against only a day for black tea.

Black tea - traditional English breakfast tea - is derived from the same plant as green tea, Camellia sinensis, but has a different taste and appearance because it is fermented.

The Legendary Origins of Tea

The story of tea began in ancient China over 5,000 years ago.

According to legend, Shen Nung, an early emperor, scholar and herbalist from 2737 BC was a skilled ruler, creative scientist and patron of the arts. His far-sighted edicts required, among other things, that all drinking water be boiled as a hygienic precaution. One summer day while visiting a distant region of his realm, he and the court stopped to rest. In accordance with his ruling, the servants began to boil water for the court to drink. Dried leaves from the near by bush fell into the boiling water, and a brown liquid was infused into the water. As a scientist, the Emperor was interested in the new liquid, drank some, and found it very refreshing. And so, according to legend, tea was created. Shen became known as the Divine Healer.

The first mention of tea outside China and Japan is said to be by the Arabs in 850 AD and it was they who were reputed to have brought it to Europe via the Venetians circa 1559. However, it is the Portuguese and Dutch who claim the credit bringing tea and tea drinking to Europe.

But it was an American, Thomas Sullivan, who in 1908 invented tea bags in New York.

For more on the history of tea, go to:

For more information about Alzheimer's, go to:

Thinking of what to buy your parents or grandparents for the holidays?

A gift basket of green and black tea together with a book on the subject or A Cup of Christmas Tea by Tom Hegg and Warren Hanson could be "memorable."

Inspire & Be Inspired (R).

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful and remembering the good times living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King

Other Suggested Teas:

Tazo Green Tea

Tazo Green Ginger Tea

Tazo "China Green Tips" Tea Kit with Infuser

Tazo Organic Spiced Black Chai Tea