A recent study out of Japan has found that one of the compounds in green tea may help combat “the blues” in older people. When men and women aged 70 or older consumed upwards of four cups of green tea per day, they were less likely to suffer from depression. Experts believe that the presence of a “feel good” chemical is responsible for this effect.

In the study, which was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers examined over 1000 healthy adults and found that about 34% of the men and 39% of the women had symptoms of depression. When the subjects reported drinking at least four cups of green tea each day, they were 44% less prone to these symptoms. The difference was significant even after the influence of social, economic, gender, antidepressant usage, and dietary issues were factored in.

Interestingly, the beneficial effects on a person’s emotional state were not evident when only 1-2 cups of green tea were consumed, nor were they seen in coffee or black oolong tea. The authors of the study hinted that the amino acid theanine, which is present in green tea, may play a role because of the purported tranquilizing effect it has on the brain. Theanine is able to cross the blood-brain barrier and is believed to reduce mental and physical stress as well as improve mood when it is present in conjunction with caffeine.

The current research adds to the long list of positive attributes of green tea, which is of particular interest to the field of medicine. Green tea is also believed to help ward off certain cancers, maintain healthy levels of cholesterol, boost immune function, and even improve your smile. Now, it may in fact help lessen the sometimes devastating impact of depression.

Depression is a condition is more prevalent in the world than most people realize. It is a medical illness that can affect people of any age and can lead to physical and emotional problems. Though it can be temporary, for many people, depression is chronic condition that occurs throughout their lives and can be debilitating, making even the simplest tasks of daily life difficult.

The key to overcoming depression is recognizing its presence and seeking help. With effective treatment, which can boil down to simply having someone to turn to, most people can return to a normal, healthy, and happy life.

If you feel that you or someone you know is suffering from depression, speak to a doctor or mental health provider. For more information, check out the websites for the National Institutes for Mental Health and Depression.com.