Brain Protective effects of Green Tea
Protective effects of Green Tea
There is increasing evidence that the deposition and aggregation of β-amyloid peptides (Aβ) in the brain play a significant role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. There is further evidence that free radical species mediate Aβ induced toxicity.
Studies have previously demonstrated that green tea polyphenols possess neuro-protective properties through their ability to moderate oxidative stress induced by free radical species. In animal model systems Green tea polyphenols have also demonstrated enhanced brain function.
A study by Okello et al, on a green tea extract demonstrated that bioavailable green tea metabolites are able to modulate free radical and plaque Aβ induced cytotoxicity.
In a separate research paper Okello et al, studied Green tea’s ability to inhibit beta-secretase. β-Secretase is an enzyme important in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, and in the formation of myelin sheaths in peripheral nerve cells
Novel findings by Okello’s team suggest that tea infusions contain biologically active components that may be used to retard the progression of the disease.