Antioxidants in Green Tea: What you need to know
Green tea is used to make various beverages, green tea water can make the drinker sober, lower high cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia), and take care of the skin. . Is drinking green tea every day good for health?
1. The mechanism of action of green tea
The useful parts of green tea are the leaf buds, leaves, and stems. Green tea is produced by steaming fresh leaves at high temperatures. In the process, it can maintain important molecules called polyphenols, which are responsible for many of the benefits of green tea. Polyphenols can prevent inflammation and swelling, protect cartilage between bones, and reduce joint degeneration.
Green tea also seems to be able to fight human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and reduce the growth of abnormal cells in the cervix (cervical dysplasia). Green tea contains 2% to 4% caffeine, which affects thinking and alertness, increases urine output, and may improve the function of brain messengers important in Parkinson’s disease. Caffeine is thought to stimulate the nervous system, heart, and muscles by increasing the release of certain chemicals in the brain called “neurotransmitters”. The antioxidants in green tea may help protect the heart and blood vessels. In addition to the above effects, antioxidants in green tea are considered in the treatment of Alzheimer’s, cancer, and skin care.
2. Antioxidants in Green Tea and Alzheimer’s Disease
As of September 20, 2005, antioxidants in green tea may protect the brain and counteract the harmful memory-damaging factors seen in Alzheimer’s disease.
One study found that high doses of a green tea ingredient called epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) significantly reduced beta-amyloid protein formation in the brains of mice altered to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Abnormal accumulation of beta-amyloid plaque in the brain is associated with nerve damage and memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease.
EGCG is one of a group of antioxidants called flavonoids found in plants. They have many health benefits such as protecting against cancer or reducing the risk of heart disease.
3. Antioxidants in green tea may protect the brain
In the study published in the journal Neurology, researchers looked at the effects of treating mice genetically engineered to develop Alzheimer’s disease with high doses of the antioxidants in green tea. After several months of daily injection of EGCG, the neurons of the treated mice produced 54% less beta-amyloid protein than the neurons of the untreated mice.
Researcher Jun Tan, Ph.D. in Neurology at the University of South Florida, said: “This finding suggests that the concentrated component of green tea may reduce beta-amyloid plaque formation in the brain.” If beta-amyloid pathology in this mouse model of Alzheimer’s is representative of human Alzheimer’s disease, then dietary EGCG supplementation may be effective in preventing and treating the disease.”
Green tea contains many antioxidants. Researchers also found other antioxidants in green tea may reduce EGCG’s ability to reduce the production of the beta-amyloid protein. Therefore, drinking green tea alone may not be enough to fight Alzheimer’s disease. This finding suggests that EGCG selectively concentrated green tea extract would be needed to counteract the effects of other flavonoids present in green tea.
4. Antioxidants in Green Tea Fight Cancer
New research shows that the antioxidant, called EGCG, binds to a protein found on tumor cells and significantly slows their growth. Previous studies have shown that green tea helps protect against many types of cancer, such as lung, prostate, and breast cancer, but the mechanism of these effects remains unknown.
In a study published in the journal Structural & Molecular Biology, researchers identified a potential target for EGCG’s anti-tumor activity against human lung cancer cells, which inhibits the growth of human lung cancer cells. develop. growth of cancer cells. By learning more about this goal, researchers can develop new treatments that maximize green tea’s cancer-fighting potential.
To better understand how the antioxidants in green tea might protect against cancer, the researchers looked at how they affect a protein found on the surface of cancer cells called cancer cells. cancer cell. laminin receptor. The study showed that when cancer cells with this protein were treated with polyphenol EGCG, the growth of tumor cells was significantly reduced.
The concentrations of antioxidants needed to produce these cancer-fighting effects are comparable to those found in the body after drinking just two to three cups of green tea, the researchers say.
Other ingredients found in green tea, including caffeine, did not affect tumor cell growth. The results, the researchers say, better understand how antioxidants interact with cancer cells and could one day lead to more effective cancer therapies, using use green tea. as a cancer treatment.
5. Anti-oxidant green tea and skin-nourishing effects
Studies have shown that green tea can protect against cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis, as well as aid in weight loss. And green tea is not uncommon in cosmetic stores either. Many people believe that tea in skin care products can help prevent skin cancer and other signs of aging.
There may be some benefits of green tea in products for human skin. However, it remains unclear whether the amount of green tea found in current skin care products is sufficient to provide any benefit. As with other beneficial properties, green tea’s antioxidant properties are key to its protective qualities. Out of all the known antioxidants, the components of green tea are the most powerful. Antioxidants are agents that can counteract the effects of oxidizing radicals. Oxidative radicals or free radicals are often referred to as by-products of the body that can cause cell and tissue damage. Antioxidants bind to free radicals, neutralizing them before they can cause harm.
Green tea contains a large number of polyphenols (tannins). It is a group of bioflavonoids, which have been shown to have antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Most of the polyphenols in green tea are catechins. Catechins, natural antioxidants, have also been shown to function as anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer agents. One of the main catechins in green tea is the most effective agent against skin inflammation and cancerous changes in the skin.
Compounds in green tea protect rat skin from sunlight-induced cancer. In addition, a few studies tested on human skin found that green tea polyphenols also have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
Green tea is a healthy drink and has many health benefits. Most of the benefits of green tea are brought about by the antioxidants present in the tea. Of course, no one can protect you from illness. Your health is wrapped up in your lifestyle and genetics, so even if you drink green tea all day, you need to take care of yourself in the most positive ways.
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