To investigate the probable benefits of Asian dietary habits, including the intake of Camellia sinensis (green tea), in preventing chronic-degenerative diseases. Thirty-four individuals aging from 25 to 84 years from a Japanese community in Rio de Janeiro answered a socioeconomic-cultural questionnaire. Seventy-six percent of the individuals consumed green tea, where 35% consumed it daily and 27% consumed it sporadically. The regular intake of alcohol predominated among the non-consumers of green tea, when compared with green tea consumers (50% and 35%, respectively consumed alcoholic beverages). None of the individuals in the sample had a sedentary lifestyle. Among the individuals who consumed green tea, 81% did not have any chronic illnesses. The consumers of tea presented a lower incidence of chronic diseases, especially hypertension, but it was not statistically significant.
green tea; chronic diseases; epidemiology; food habits
