Green Tea May Benefit the Brain

A compound found in green tea may help shield brain health, a new study shows.

For the study, researchers focused on amyloid plaques (substances known to damage brain cells and cause loss of memory, language, and motor function). Amyloid plaques are associated with the development of Alzheimer’s disease.

In a series of lab experiments, the scientists found that a combination of the green tea compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and a chemical called DAPH-12 caused amyloid structures to break apart and dissolve. The study’s authors suggest that EGCG shows promise in the treatment of amyloid-based diseases, but caution that the compound’s effects need to be further explored in other studies.

In an earlier study, published in 2006, researchers analyzed tea consumption among 1,0003 older adults and discovered that those who drank the most green tea were the least likely to show signs of weakened brain function.

Green tea may also protect against gum disease and stroke, according to other previous research.

Green Tea May Benefit the Brain originally appeared on About.com Alternative Medicine on Wednesday, December 23rd, 2009 at 06:00:21.