Long-term consumption of green tea protects the mental health of middle-aged and older adult men by improving inflammation levels.

Background: Middle-aged and older adult men are at a heightened risk of depression. Green tea, as a popular beverage, has drawn widespread attention for its health benefits. However, there remains controversy over the effects of green tea on combating depression and regulating hormones.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of long-term green tea consumption on depression levels, hormones, and brain structure in, middle-aged and older adult men.

Methods: A total of 280 volunteers participated in the study, divided into a tea-drinking group and a control group. Basic demographic information and biological marker data, as well as MRI data from some of the volunteers, were collected. A controlled study was conducted to explore the effects of long-term tea drinking on them.

Results: BMI ( = 0.002), depression level ( = 0.003), insomnia severity ( = 0.008), and systemic inflammation index ( = 0.009) were significantly lower in the tea drinking group, and their testosterone levels were significantly higher than those in the control group ( = 0.001). Moreover, GM volume in the right precuneus in the control group was significantly reduced compared with that in the tea drinking group.

Conclusion: Long-term tea consumption helps reduce BMI and increase testosterone levels in middle-aged and older adult men, and it can also reduce their risk of depression by lowering inflammation and improving sleep quality. Additionally, long-term tea consumption may have the potential to delay brain aging in middle-aged and older adult men.