Doctors call it sarcopenia – the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. Studies in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition show that by age 70, about 1 in 3 adults has lost enough muscle to noticeably affect daily life. Grocery bags feel heavier. Getting up from a low chair takes two tries. A short flight of stairs leaves you catching your breath.
But here’s what worries experts most: weaker muscles dramatically increase the risk of falls. And falls are the leading cause of injury in adults over 65.
The old advice – “just lift weights and eat more protein” – helps, but after 60 the body becomes less efficient at turning protein into new muscle. Researchers now believe certain plant compounds in tea can give your body the extra support it needs.
Why Tea Works Differently After 60
After age 60, “anabolic resistance” makes it harder for muscles to repair and grow – even when you exercise and eat well. A 2023 review in the journal Nutrients found that polyphenols (natural compounds abundant in tea) may improve muscle protein synthesis by up to 18% in older adults.
These same polyphenols also calm low-grade inflammation that quietly damages muscle tissue day after day.
Think of it this way: exercise and protein lay the bricks, but tea polyphenols may help supply the mortar your body now struggles to make on its own.
Here’s the part most articles miss…
