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Tea News October 2011

October 7, 2011 Written by JP    [Font too small?]

When I search for new topics in medical databases and journals, I frequently stumble upon a promising item or more about black, green or white tea. This is the latest batch of gems I’ve discovered about Camellia sinensis.

In July 2011, a study was published in the journal Experimental Dermatology that offers hope for the millions of men concerned about male pattern baldness. The experiment describes how the topical application of EGCG, a component of green tea, counteracts testosterone-induced death of hair follicles. Direct contact with green tea can also protect your teeth. Just last month, researchers from the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil discovered that the addition of green tea to conventional soda limits the extent of erosion caused to dentine. In Japan, an evaluation of 2,050 elementary school students determined that drinking 3 to 5 cups of green tea daily resulted in a 38% to 46% lower likelihood of influenza infection as compared to drinking <1 cup/day. In addition, the track record of green tea vs. cancer was recently bolstered by a Chinese study involving over 60,000 middle aged to senior men. In the examination, consuming green tea at least three times a week afforded significant protection against colorectal cancer (-46%). The authors of the trial explained that a 12% decline in risk was found for every cup of tea consumed by non-smokers.

Of late, there has also been some useful information presented about how to maximize the benefits of black and green tea. Australian scientists report that brewing green tea for approximately 30 minutes at a temperature of 175°F optimizes the extraction of delicate antioxidants. Meanwhile, black tea appears to release much of its health promoting properties when brewed for five or more minutes. Finally, if you happen to be a reluctant tea drinker because of its caffeine content, take notice of the following. According to a series of experiments conducted in Korea, phytochemicals contained in tea may blunt the cardiovascular activation that normally accompanies caffeine intake. The proposed mechanism has to do with EGCG’s ability to reduce adrenaline and noradrenaline production. This intriguing finding may allow for caffeine sensitive individuals to safely experiment with tea and perhaps derive the many benefits associated with its use.

To learn more about the studies referenced in today’s column, please click on the following links:

Study 1 – Effects of Topical Application of EGCG on Testosterone-Induced Hair (link)

Study 2 – Effect of Supplementation of Soft Drinks with Green Tea Extract(link)

Study 3 – Green Tea Consumption Is Inversely Associated with the Incidence of(link)

Study 4 – Green Tea Consumption and Colorectal Cancer Risk: a Report … (link)

Study 5 – Optimizing Conditions for the Extraction of Catechins from Green Tea (link)

Study 6 – Anti-Hyperglycemia Properties of Tea (Camellia sinensis) Bioactives (link)

Study 7 – Increases in Blood Pressure and Heart Rate Induced by Caffeine are (link)

Green Tea May Reduce Plaque Formation


Source: J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2011 Jan;15(1):39-45. (link)


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Posted in Children's Health, Food and Drink, Men's Health

8 Comments & Updates to “Tea News October 2011”

  1. Iggy Dalrymple Says:

    For years I used green tea bags. For the past year or so I’ve switched to matcha tea mixed with pomegranate powder. Tastes good. Pomegranate is supposed to be good to combat prostate cancer. I buy both from NutsOnLine.

  2. JP Says:

    That sounds like a fine combo to me, Iggy. Research is building for the blend and pomegranate in general:

    http://www.spandidos-publications.com/ijo/38/6/1675

    http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2011/IB/c0ib00122h

    http://www.nature.com/nrurol/journal/v7/n1/full/nrurol.2009.234.html

    Be well!

    JP

  3. G. Paul Says:

    JP,

    It is always great to learn your new research!
    Question: Do you think that the benefits of consuming green tea could be obtained consuming green tea extract?

    Paul

  4. JP Says:

    Thank you, Paul.

    Generally speaking, I think green tea extracts are a fine way of obtaining the antioxidant phytochemicals present in brewed tea. After all, steeping a tea bag is a form of extraction as well.

    Be well!

    JP

  5. liverock Says:

    JP

    The study on green tea and hair regrowth is on mouse body hair which doesnt always transmit to human hair regrowth.

    Fortunately there is a previous in vitro study on EGCG and human hair which also included in restoration of the hair follicle (DPC) which confirms this latest study.

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17092697

    BTW Does Iggy mean he was using tea bags on his scalp? That would be a sight for sore eyes.

  6. JP Says:

    Liverock,

    Agreed. Still, studies like the one linked to below offer a glimmer of hope:

    http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2576011/?tool=pubmed

    re: Iggy

    I’d like to think so. It’s preferable to thinking I’m the only one engaging in such antics. 😉

    Be well!

    JP

  7. Elle Says:

    I enjoy green tea, but have been lately sticking to herbal tea that don’t contain caffeine. However, with the recent flu going around this time of year, perhaps I should switch back. Do you know anything about the benefits of white tea?

  8. JP Says:

    Hi, Elle.

    I’ve written about white tea on several occasions. Here are a few links that may be of interest:

    https://www.healthyfellow.com/115/white-tea-a-healthy-alternative/

    https://www.healthyfellow.com/323/longevity-tea/

    Be well!

    JP

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