The effect of green tea consumption on depression

Abstract

Introduction:  Depression has become an epidemic disorder in the world, which according to the World Health Organization is the first debilitating factor in the world. There are different approaches to its treatment, including the use of complementary medicine and herbal medicines. In recent years, there have been reports about the protective role of tea consumption in reducing the risk of depression, especially in the elderly. This study aimed to determine the effect of tea consumption on depression by reviewing quality published studies in this regard.

Methods: To conduct a comprehensive review on the topic of tea and depression between 2005 and 2024, we used various search engines such as Persian language scientific resources SID and Magiran, as well as Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus. The search was conducted using the keywords "tea" and "depression" in combination.

Results: Out of 215 articles that were reviewed, the final analysis was conducted on 22 of them. Among these, 20 articles validated the correlation between tea consumption and a decrease in symptoms of depression. In most of these studies, it was highlighted that consuming at least three cups of tea daily had a positive impact.

Conclusion: The results of this study have verified the advantages of drinking over 3 cups of green tea per day. It is recommended to consume green tea in various groups, especially in populations with a high incidence of depression, such as the elderly living in boarding centers.