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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2024 Aug 30;19(8):e0309287.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309287. eCollection 2024.

Effect of matcha green tea on cognitive functions and sleep quality in older adults with cognitive decline: A randomized controlled study over 12 months

Kazuhiko Uchida  1   2 , Kohji Meno  2 , Tatsumi Korenaga  2 , Shan Liu  2 , Hideaki Suzuki  2 , Yoshitake Baba  3 , Chika Tagata  3 , Yoshiharu Araki  3 , Shuto Tsunemi  3 , Kenta Aso  3 , Shun Inagaki  3 , Sae Nakagawa  3 , Makoto Kobayashi  3 , Tatsuyuki Kakuma  4 , Takashi Asada  5   6 , Miho Ota  7 , Takanobu Takihara  3 , Tetsuaki Arai  7
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effect of matcha green tea on cognitive functions and sleep quality in older adults with cognitive decline: A randomized controlled study over 12 months

Kazuhiko Uchida et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

Objective: Lifestyle habits after middle age significantly impact the maintenance of cognitive function in older adults. Nutritional intake is closely related to lifestyle habits; therefore, nutrition is a pivotal factor in the prevention of dementia in the preclinical stages. Matcha green tea powder (matcha), which contains epigallocatechin gallate, theanine, and caffeine, has beneficial effects on cognitive function and mood. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study over 12 months to examine the effect of matcha on cognitive function and sleep quality.

Methods: Ninety-nine participants, including 64 with subjective cognitive decline and 35 with mild cognitive impairment were randomized, with 49 receiving 2 g of matcha and 50 receiving a placebo daily. Participants were stratified based on two factors: age at baseline and APOE genotype. Changes in cognitive function and sleep quality were analyzed using a mixed-effects model.

Results: Matcha consumption led to significant improvements in social acuity score (difference; -1.39, 95% confidence interval; -2.78, 0.002) (P = 0.028) as evaluated by the perception of facial emotions in cognitive function. The primary outcomes, that is, Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Activity of Daily Living scores, showed no significant changes with matcha intervention. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores indicated a trend toward improvement with a difference of 0.86 (95% confidence interval; -0.002, 1.71) (P = 0.088) between the groups in changes from baseline to 12 months.

Conclusions: The present study suggests regular consumption of matcha could improve emotional perception and sleep quality in older adults with mild cognitive decline. Given the widespread availability and cultural acceptance of matcha green tea, incorporating it into the daily routine may offer a simple yet effective strategy for cognitive enhancement and dementia prevention.

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Conflict of interest statement

Authors with competing interests Enter competing interest details beginning with this statement: I have read the journal’s policy and the authors of this manuscript have the following competing interests: [Kazuhiko Uchida serves as a board member of MCBI Inc. Kohji Meno, Tatsumi Korenaga, Liu Shan, and Hideaki Suzuki are employees of MCBI Inc. Yoshitake Baba, Chika Tagata, Yoshiharu Araki, Shuto Tsunemi, Kenta Aso, Shun Inagaki, Sae Nakagawa, Makoto Kobayashi, and Takanobu Takihara are employees of ITO EN, LTD. This research received no external funding.] This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Study design and flowchart of participants throughout the study.
MCI, mild cognitive impairment; SCD, subjective cognitive decline.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Effect of 12-month matcha consumption on neurocognitive domain score in CNS vital signs.
The intervention effects on neurocognitive domain score in CNS vital signs are shown. Differences in the mean change from baseline to 12 months between the two groups were calculated using the mixed-effects model. Black circles represent the matcha group, and open circles represent the placebo group. The tables provided below represent the estimated differences between the groups; a positive value implies a higher value in the matcha group than in the placebo group, whereas a negative value suggests a lower value in the matcha group than in the placebo group.
Fig 3
Fig 3. Effect of 12-month matcha consumption on sleep quality and cognitive function.
The intervention effects on PSQI, ADCS-MCI-ADL, cognitive function assessed by MMSE-J, MoCA-J, ADAS-Jcog, and RBANS are shown. Differences in the mean change from baseline to 12 months between the two groups were calculated using the mixed-effects model. Black circles represent the matcha group, and open circles represent the placebo group. The tables provided below represent the estimated differences between the groups; a positive value implies a higher value in the matcha group than in the placebo group, whereas a negative value suggests a lower value in the matcha group than in the placebo group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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