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Epidemiology

Consumption of green tea but not coffee is associated with the oral health-related quality of life among an older Japanese population: Kyoto-Kameoka cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background/Objectives

The consumption of both green tea and coffee is known to induce positive health effects; however, it remains unclear whether there is an association between the consumption of these beverages and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Thus, the present study investigated the relationship between the consumption of green tea and coffee and OHRQoL.

Subjects/Methods

We analyzed cross-sectional baseline data in 2012. The subjects were 7514 Japanese participants (3563 men, 3951 women; ≥65 years of age). Each subject completed a validated self-administered questionnaire that included items on the frequency of the consumption of green tea and coffee. OHRQoL was evaluated using the self-reported General Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI), which assesses oral health problems in older adults. A GOHAI score <50 points was defined as a poor OHRQoL.

Results

Following adjustment for age, body mass index, total energy intake, alcohol, smoking, medication use, coffee, and fruit and vegetable consumption, increased consumption of green tea showed a strong positive association with the GOHAI score in both men and women (Ptrend < 0.001 in both). In contrast, after adjusting for all factors, no statistically significant association was observed between coffee consumption and the GOHAI score in men (Ptrend = 0.538) or women (Ptrend = 0.607). The respective multivariate-odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for a poor OHRQoL associated with green tea consumption frequencies of none, <1 cup/day, 1–2 cups/day, and ≥3 cups/day were 1.00, 1.01 (0.80–1.27), 0.95 (0.74–1.21), and 0.78 (0.61–0.99) (Ptrend = 0.024) in men, and 1.00, 1.19 (0.90–1.57), 0.98 (0.74–1.29), and 0.86 (0.67–1.12) (Ptrend = 0.014) in women.

Conclusions

Regardless of sex, green tea consumption was positively associated with the GOHAI score. Therefore, ≥3 cups/day of green tea may reduce the risk of a poor OHRQoL, especially in men.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to Drs. Shinkan Tokudome, Nahomi Imaeda, and Chiho Goto for granting us permission to use the FFQ and for providing the SAS program for estimating nutrient intakes. This study was supported by the JSPS KAKENHI (16K16287, 24240091, and 15H05363), by the Kyoto Prefecture, by Kameoka City, and by Planning Division Health and Welfare Bureau for the Elderly of the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare.

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Correspondence to Hinako Nanri.

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Nanri, H., Yamada, Y., Itoi, A. et al. Consumption of green tea but not coffee is associated with the oral health-related quality of life among an older Japanese population: Kyoto-Kameoka cross-sectional study. Eur J Clin Nutr 73, 577–584 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41430-018-0186-y

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