Green Tea may protect the heart, research finds!
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Green tea may help protect against the damage caused by heart attacks and strokes, researchers suggest.
A chemical found in green tea, which has been drunk for over 4,000 years, has been shown to reduce the amount of cell death which follows such trauma. Cell death leads to tissue death and even organ failure.
The team of researchers, led by Dr Anastasis Stephanou, carried out laboratory tests on heart cells which found that a major chemical component of green tea known as epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) can reduce cell death after a heart attack or stroke. |
EGCG appears to block the action of a protein called Stat 1, which becomes activated within cells after a stressful event such as a heart attack or stroke, and plays a role in inducing cell death.
EGCG also appears to speed up the recovery of heart cells. This allows the tissues to recover, alleviating damage to the organs.
Experts from the UK 's Institute of Child Health carried out the study, published in the journal of the Federation of Experimental Biology.
Green tea was frequently used in the past as fluid supply for patients suffering from infectious diseases, but recently researchers have begun to scientifically determine the health benefits of green tea.
During a heart attack, the amount of oxygen and nutrients reaching the brain and heart is reduced, which leads to cell death and causes irreversible damage.
Molecular biologist Dr Anastasis Stephanou, who led the research, said: "We're extremely encouraged by these findings and hope to implement them in the clinical setting to minimize cell death activation levels in patients with acute coronary artery disease."
He said more research would have to be carried out
"But hopefully we will one day be able to tell patients who are susceptible to heart disease that they can drink green tea for its therapeutic benefits."
Belinda Linden, head of medical information at the British Heart Foundation said: "Green tea has, in the past, been associated with a reduced risk of coronary artery disease, with claims that its high antioxidant properties may cut the amount of cholesterol in the artery wall.
"The results suggest that there may be other ways that green tea could protect the heart, but larger controlled studies would be needed to confirm this benefit." |
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Green Tea Benefits Trivia:
Did you know that:
EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate is the most abundant antioxidant catechin in green tea. It is found in high amounts in this beverage as the green tea leaves undergo very minimal amounts of oxidation. EGCG in green tea has exceptional anti-inflammatory and immune strengthening properties. Read more about EGCG here.
Green tea is often classified as one of the so-called 'superfoods' due to its wealth of health-boosting components that may help fight a wide array of ailments and diseases. 'Superfood' is the term used to describe foods with high antioxidant and phytonutrient content. Go here to find a list of 'superfoods'.
Vitamin C is said to help the body absorb more of the antioxidant content of green tea. New studies have shown that taking citrus juices, like those of oranges and lemons, along with green tea enable more of the tea's antioxidants to remain after the digestion process is completed. Read more about Vitamin C here.
Antioxidants in green tea help fight the ravages of free radicals that are seen as the source of many of today's debilitating diseases. Did you know that aside from the catechins that are so abundant in green tea, there are many other types of antioxidants? Discover them all here.
Green tea is said to help in lowering calories and fighting fat. This seeming ability to aid in weight loss is attributed to the polyphenols found in the beverage. Read more about green tea's fat-fighting abilities here.
The Japanese and the people from the Meditteranean have some of the world's longest life expectancy rates. And while the Japanese look to green tea as their favorite after-meal drink, the Mediterranean peoples love to have red wine after their meals. Green tea and red wine? Could any two beverages be any more different? Discover what makes red wine a healthy drink when taken in moderation here.
The quality of the water used to brew the tea is very important. It is believed that the water used must be free of contaminants and contain enough oxygen to enhance the natural flavor of the tea. Teas made with pure water yield a crisp flavor and a clear brew that is aesthetically pleasant. Learn more about the health benefits of water here.
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