Black tea and berries could contribute to healthier aging

Medical Xpress / Edith Cowan University / The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ^ | May 5, 2025 | Nicola P Bondonno et al

[ConservativeMind]

Higher intakes of black tea, berries, citrus fruits and apples could help to promote healthy aging, new research has found.

This study found that foods rich in flavonoids could help to lower the risk of key components of unhealthy aging, including frailty, impaired physical function and poor mental health.

"The goal of medical research is not just to help people live longer but to ensure they stay healthy for as long as possible," Dr. Nicola Bondonno said.

"We know from previous research that people who have a higher flavonoid intake tend to live longer, and they are also less likely to get any of the major chronic diseases such as dementia, diabetes or heart disease.

"Our research shows that people who consume more flavonoids tend to age better."

The study, which analyzed data from 62,743 women and 23,687 men over 24 years, found that women with the highest flavonoid intakes had a 15% lower risk of frailty, a 12% lower risk of impaired physical function, and a 12% lower risk of poor mental health compared to those with the lowest intakes. While fewer associations were observed in men, higher flavonoid intake was still linked to a lower risk of poor mental health.

"Flavonoids are well known for reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, supporting blood vessel health, and even helping to maintain skeletal muscle mass—all of which are important for preventing frailty and maintaining physical function and mental health as we age," said senior author, Professor Aedin Cassidy.

"We found that participants who increased their intake of flavonoid-rich food by three servings a day, had a 6% to 11% lower risk across all three of the aging outcomes in females, and a 15% lower risk of poor mental health in males.

---

TOPICS: Health/Medicine
KEYWORDS: aging; flavonoids

[ConservativeMind]

Tea, berries, citrus fruits, and apples are easy to add to your diet.

[ConservativeMind]

The “Take Charge Of Your Health” Ping List
This high volume ping list is for health articles and studies which describe something you or your doctor, when informed, may be able to immediately implement for your benefit.

Email me to get on either the “Common/Top Issues” (20 - 25% fewer pings) or “Everything” list.

[Bobbyvotes]

This must be correct. My stomach does not tolerate coffee so I drink black tea. Also eat berries everyday. Plus oranges, mangoes & bananas. Doing good in mid-80’s without any health issues.

[jonrick46]

Black Choke Berries scientifically known as Aronia melanocarpa, are known for their anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. These properties are linked to the high levels of polyphenolic compounds and flavonoids they contain.

[TigersEye]

Try these purple berries. I’ve been eating them for six or seven months now. Haven’t got sick once.

[Uncle Miltie]

Blue berries, dark chocolate and coffee daily here!

[irishfox]

Sounds great, but I have yet to find a nice black tea that is not loaded with pesticides. Even the “organic” ones are suspect. The black tea’s made in China seem to be the worst.

[ConservativeMind]

Me, too!

[matthew fuller]

Thanks for posting this, very informative.

[CondoleezzaProtege]

My favorite tea growing up was Cinnamon Apple. Also love Iced Green or Black Tea with peach infusion! 🥰🫖

[DAC21]

“Blue berries, dark chocolate and coffee daily here!”

Ditto other than I also add a large glass of Sun tea after the morning walk. I tend to forget the daily chocolate which when I can find it is usually the 70% dark cocoa variety. Lead and cadmium levels can be an issue. Taza organic and Ghirardelli intense dark chocolate have low levels per Consumer reports.

[maddog55]

I prefer beer and chips. The occasional bourbon is ok too.

[Georgia Girl 2]

I put an orange slice in my Blue Moon at happy hour last night. 😊

[Pete from Shawnee Mission]

I have several gallons of aronia frozen. I find them and black tea very bitter so I boil them and add green tea.

I boil several inches of ginger and a clove or two and about a dozen of the smashed frozen Aronia in a couple of cups of water for about 10 min. I turn off the heat and add one or two tablespoons of Japanese Green Tea and let it steep for 4 or 5 min then strain and have with some honey. A lot more tolerable. (The tea ends up colored red.) I am using Maeda-en Gold Sen-cha green tea.

Better green teas are meant to be used several times before being discarded. Some do not reach their best flavor until they have been used 4 or 5 times. If I do not add the other ingredients I will save the tea for reuse.

Somewhere I read that ginger helps prevent or kill cancer, especially in the prostate.