Why Green Tea Is so Healthy for Your Brain

A brand new study has sought to identify, by digging through past studies, what it is that makes tea so healthy. This is what it found.

Tea is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. Several studies have suggested that certain natural chemicals found in tea may reduce the risk of various types of cancers. The biggest of these chemicals are "catechins" and "theaflavins." Science has made major advances in understanding the molecular events that lead to cancer prevention. But, as is the case with so much medical science, the evidence is not conclusive.

Evidence from pre-clinical and clinical studies also suggests that persistent inflammation can progress to cancer.

Several possible mechanisms of action may explain the cancer-preventive aspects of tea components. Specifically, this means anti-inflammatory effects. For your brain's health, green tea catechins have been recognized now for their neuroprotection on many different levels. Also, green tea catechins are now well- known to exert beneficial effects on vascular function and mental performance.

How about a unique amino acid called "theanine?" In tea, this element enhances cognition in humans and also has neuroprotective effects. The study concluded, as usual, with the request for further major studies in humans based on common tea products.

Here are some other interesting -- if not preliminary -- findings on green tea catechins.
• The catechins are believed to have strong antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antitumorigenic and even antibiotic properties.

This makes green tea a popular drink for preventing heart disease and cancer.
• Green tea could help trigger short-term reductions in cholesterol. Plus, when it is enriched with theaflavin, which is found in greater quantities in black tea, the cholesterol-lowering effect may be strengthened.
• Used on the skin, creams made with green tea polyphenols may protect cells from ultraviolet light damage. Thus, it could have some use in skin cancer prevention.
• Green tea may have some use for those wishing to burn pounds off. There have been many trials on this possibility, with conflicting results. However, it seems possible that green tea may be able to speed up your body's metabolism.

Sources:
1. Gonzalez de Mejia, E., et al., "Bioactive components of tea: Cancer, inflammation and behaviour," Brain, Behavior and Immunity, August 2009: 23: 721-731.
2. Maron, D.J., et al., "Cholesterol-lowering effect of a theaflavin- enriched green tea extract: a randomized controlled trial," Arch. Intern. Med., 2003; 163: 1,448-53.
3. Katiyar, S.K., Ahmad, N., and Mukhtar, H., "Green tea and skin," Arch. Dermatol., 2000; 136: 989-994.
4. Dulloo, A.G., et al., "Green tea and thermogenesis: interactions between catechin-polyphenols, caffeine and sympathetic activity" Int. J. Obes. Relat. Metab. Disord, 2000; 24: 252-258.

Your Health and Mine