Green dream: Dr Ed Okello pours himself a cup of cancer-fighting tea Drinking of cup of green tea a day could help ward off Alzheimer`s and stop cancers in their tracks, B ritish reaserchers have concluded.
The ancient Chinese remedy works to protect brain cells against deterioration and slows cancerous cell growth, they believe.
The project at Newcastle University went further than previous studies by monitoring how chemicals in green tea would affect the body once digested.
‘We found when green tea is digested by enzymes in the gut, the resulting chemicals are actually more effective against key triggers of Alzheimer’s development than the undigested form,’ said Dr Ed Okello, who led the study.
‘We also found the digested compounds had anti-cancer properties, significantly slowing down the growth of tumour cells.’
The results are a breakthrough as previously it could not be assumed the body would absorb health-boosting chemicals in certain foods.
Compounds known as polyphenols present in black and green tea possess neuro-protective properties which protect brain cells, earlier studies show.
The mix of compounds produced when these polyphenols are broken down is what Newcastle University researchers tested.
The team was able to establish for the first time if these foods are actually doing us any good.
Dr Okello said: ‘The digested chemicals protected the cells, preventing the toxins from destroying the cells. We also saw them affecting the cancer cells.
‘Green tea has been used in medicines in the Far East for thousands of years and now we are beginning to discover some of the science behind these claims.’
‘It’s fair to say that at least one cup of green tea every day may be good for you and I would certainly recommend it.’
Dr Anne Corbett, of the Alzheimer’s Society, said the study added to previous research suggesting green tea might help to reduce the risk of the disease
The project at Newcastle University went further than previous studies by monitoring how chemicals in green tea would affect the body once digested.
‘We found when green tea is digested by enzymes in the gut, the resulting chemicals are actually more effective against key triggers of Alzheimer’s development than the undigested form,’ said Dr Ed Okello, who led the study.
‘We also found the digested compounds had anti-cancer properties, significantly slowing down the growth of tumour cells.’
The results are a breakthrough as previously it could not be assumed the body would absorb health-boosting chemicals in certain foods.
Compounds known as polyphenols present in black and green tea possess neuro-protective properties which protect brain cells, earlier studies show.
The mix of compounds produced when these polyphenols are broken down is what Newcastle University researchers tested.
The team was able to establish for the first time if these foods are actually doing us any good.
Dr Okello said: ‘The digested chemicals protected the cells, preventing the toxins from destroying the cells. We also saw them affecting the cancer cells.
‘Green tea has been used in medicines in the Far East for thousands of years and now we are beginning to discover some of the science behind these claims.’
‘It’s fair to say that at least one cup of green tea every day may be good for you and I would certainly recommend it.’
Dr Anne Corbett, of the Alzheimer’s Society, said the study added to previous research suggesting green tea might help to reduce the risk of the disease
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