Japnese researchers concluded that green tea lowers the risk of developing depression among elderly men and women. Due to a feel good chemical present in the tea, aged people who drink several cups of green tea a day were less likely to suffer from depression.

Experts have linked drinking green tea to decreasing psychological problems. Dr Kaijun Niu, of Tohoku University Graduate School, and colleagues investigated 1058 relatively healthy elderly men and women.

The results found 44 per cent of people aged 70 plus were less likely to have depression symptoms if they drank four or more cups of green tea daily.

The study suggests that Theanine, an amino acid commonly found in green tea, generates the tranquilizing effects on the brain.

Asian countries like China and Japan widely consumed green tea.

According to the study that was published in the December issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition about 34 per cent of the men and 39 per cent of the women suffered from depression symptoms.

Researchers however said that further studies were needed to confirm the efficiency of green tea intake in warding of depression.