As we age, our sleep patterns can often become erratic, and cognitive functions may start to wane. It's a natural part of the aging process, but that doesn't mean we have to accept it without a fight. In fact, a recent 12-month trial has shed light on a potential ally in the quest for better sleep and cognitive health for seniors: matcha green tea.

The study, published in Plos One, involved 99 Japanese seniors aged between 60 to 85 years old, all of whom were experiencing either subjective cognitive decline or mild cognitive impairment. These conditions are characterized by self-reported confusion or memory problems that have worsened over the past year or the early stages of memory loss or cognitive ability loss, respectively.

Participants in the trial were randomised to receive either nine capsules of placebo or matcha green tea daily. The nine capsules were equivalent to two grams of matcha green tea powder, the same amount traditionally consumed in the Japanese tea ceremony known as Tea Otemae.


Matcha is renowned for its high concentration of catechins, theanine, and caffeine – compounds that have been previously linked to supporting sleep and cognitive function. The daily serving of matcha provided to the intervention group contained 170.8 mg of catechin, 48.1 mg of theanine, and 66.2 mg of caffeine, along with a variety of other catechins.
The study, which was supported by Japanese beverage company ITO EN, assessed the seniors' sleep quality using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores, where a lower score indicates better sleep quality. Cognitive function changes were also evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Japanese version (MoCA-J) and Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study Activity of Daily Living (ADCS-MCI-ADL) questionnaires.

By the end of the trial, the findings revealed that matcha consumption had improved sleep quality, as indicated by lower PSQI scores in the intervention group. Although the difference in PSQI scores between the two groups was not statistically significant, the researchers noted a trend towards improved sleep with matcha consumption. They attributed this sleep-enhancing effect to theanine, a constituent of matcha, which seemed to counteract the sleep-disruptive effects of caffeine.

Moreover, the study reported significant improvements in social acuity, a subset of cognitive function related to the ability to perceive and respond to the psychological state of others. The intervention group showed enhanced social cognition, with a reduction in false responses to facial expressions and word descriptions, suggesting that matcha consumption could be beneficial for recognising social cues – a vital skill that can decline with age.

While no significant improvements were observed in other cognitive function areas, such as executive function and visuospatial function, the researchers believe this could be due to the sensitivity of the tests used. They suggest that matcha's effects might be more pronounced in early-stage cognitive decline rather than in clinical diagnoses of cognitive impairment.

The conclusion drawn from this study is promising: matcha green tea consumption may serve as a lifestyle improvement strategy for dementia prevention and could enhance certain cognitive functions, as well as improve sleep quality in older adults.

For our readers at the Seniors Discount Club, this could be a delightful and natural way to potentially improve your sleep and maintain cognitive function. Of course, it's always best to consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes to your diet or health regimen.

So, next time you're considering a warm drink before bed, perhaps a cup of matcha green tea could be the perfect nightcap. Have any of you tried matcha for its health benefits? We'd love to hear about your experiences in the comments below!