Shen K, et al. - Using the panel data from 2005, 2008/2009, 2011/2012 and 2014 waves of Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey, researchers assessed depressive symptoms of older adults in correlation with the frequency and duration of tea drinking across genders and age groups. They used a five-item scale to evaluate depressive symptoms and applied linear mixed effects models. Findings revealed significantly less depressive symptoms in relation to consistent and frequent tea-drinking; this effect was in part mediated by socioeconomic status, health behavior, physical health, cognitive function, and social engagement. However, the link was only significant for males and the oldest-old, rather than females and younger elders. Experts concluded that an effective reduction in the risk of depressive symptoms in the Chinese elderly may be brought about by consistent and frequent tea-drinking. They also regarded tea-drinking promotion, which is a component of the traditional lifestyle, as a cost-effective approach towards healthy aging for China.