Sleep Quality mediates the association between Tea Consumption and Duration of COVID-19-related Symptoms in the Elderly

The association between tea consumption and the duration of COVID-19-related symptoms remains inconclusive. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the potential mediating role of sleep quality in this association. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from elderly individuals aged 50 and above in Weitang Town in 2023. Detailed information on tea consumption, duration of COVID-19-related symptoms, and sleep quality was collected using pre-designed questionnaires. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Spearman correlation analysis was employed to examine the relationships between variables. Mediation effect analysis utilized a mediation model with multi-category independent variables. Results The correlation analysis revealed negative associations between tea drinking frequency, type, years, concentration, and sleep quality. Additionally, sleep quality was significantly and positively associated with the duration of COVID-19-related symptoms, whereas various tea consumption variables were significantly and negatively associated with the duration of COVID-19-related symptoms. The mediation analysis confirmed that sleep quality partially mediated the relationship between daily tea drinking and the duration of COVID-19-related symptoms. Moreover, sleep quality fully mediated the associations between drinking green tea, consuming tea for less than 15 years or more than 30 years, the concentration of tea consumption, and the duration of COVID-19-related symptoms. Conclusions Tea consumption indirectly influences the duration of COVID-19-related symptoms through its impact on sleep quality. These findings highlight the importance of considering the effects of tea consumption on COVID-19 infection, as well as the potential to reduce the duration of COVID-19-related symptoms by improving sleep quality. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement Yes ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Not Applicable The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of the Third People's Hospital of Xiangcheng District, Suzhou City (Data protection number: xcsyllpj2023-001). I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Not Applicable I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Not Applicable I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Not Applicable Data cannot be shared publicly because of participants did not provide their consent to share the data.